New Delhi — Turkish Airlines has received a formal warning from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following a series of alarming safety and security violations uncovered during surprise inspections at Indian airports, including the discovery of improperly stored explosive materials and the deployment of unqualified ground handling personnel.
The violations came to light after a series of random audits and enforcement checks conducted by DGCA officials at multiple airports where Turkish Airlines operates, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
According to sources within the regulator, the most serious breach involved the unauthorized and improperly documented presence of Class 1 explosives—used in aircraft emergency systems like slide deployment—found in checked baggage storage areas without proper safety protocols or clearance.
“The materials in question were not declared nor stored in accordance with the Aircraft Rules and relevant ICAO standards,” a DGCA official told Aviation Nexus on condition of anonymity. “This represents a serious lapse in dangerous goods handling procedures.”
In addition to the explosives incident, DGCA inspectors also discovered that several ground handling staff working on Turkish Airlines flights did not possess the required certifications, training credentials, or background security clearances mandated under Indian civil aviation norms.
DGCA Issues Official Warning
The regulator has issued a formal warning to Turkish Airlines, demanding immediate corrective action and threatening further enforcement, including fines or possible suspension of operations in India, if the airline fails to comply with safety standards going forward.
“Safety cannot be compromised. We have reminded all foreign carriers operating in India that strict adherence to Indian aviation law is non-negotiable,” said a senior DGCA spokesperson. “We expect Turkish Airlines to conduct an internal audit and rectify these lapses with urgency.”
The warning was accompanied by a directive for Turkish Airlines to submit a detailed compliance report within 15 days, including a root cause analysis and preventive measures being implemented.
Turkish Airlines Responds
In a statement issued late Friday, Turkish Airlines said it was cooperating fully with Indian authorities and had launched its own internal investigation into the findings.
“We take these matters extremely seriously and are conducting a thorough review to ensure full compliance with all local and international aviation regulations,” the airline said. “We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and security in all our operations.”
Aviation Safety Under Spotlight
The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of foreign carriers operating in India, as the DGCA intensifies oversight in response to recent global aviation incidents. The regulator has stepped up audits focusing on ground handling practices, dangerous goods transportation, and crew licensing verification across both domestic and international operators.
Aviation safety experts say the incident serves as a wake-up call for foreign airlines to align fully with India’s regulatory ecosystem.
“This isn’t just a paperwork issue—it’s about safety on the ground and in the air,” said Capt. Arvind Rao, an independent aviation safety consultant. “India is right to insist on strict compliance from all carriers, regardless of their origin or reputation.”
What’s Next?
Turkish Airlines, which operates daily flights from Istanbul to several major Indian cities, remains under observation by DGCA teams. Depending on the adequacy of its compliance measures, the airline could face further action or enhanced surveillance in the coming months.
The DGCA has also signaled that random spot checks on international carriers will continue and may expand in scope, especially in areas involving cargo handling, maintenance coordination, and crew documentation.
