GS4 · UPSC Mains

You are an Airworthiness Officer posted with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, tasked to conduct the safety audit of a major airline of the country. During the recent audit, you find that some of the airplanes belonging to the airline do not fully meet a few of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. The issues are minor, mainly pertaining to some incomplete aircraft maintenance logs and safety rules related to training of the crew. The airline belongs to a very influential business conglomerate with close ties to all major national political parties and has a long history of ethical business practises. The point person appointed by the airline to communicate with you has assured that everything will be in order in a couple of months. Your senior in the department has also indicated that it is best not to mention such minor issues in the report, particularly given the image of the business group involved and the trust it enjoys. He also reiterates the assurance given by the airline to address these issues at the earliest in a time-bound manner. However, you are aware that airline safety norms are paramount and every other consideration is secondary to the safety of the crew and passengers. As a public servant appointed to uphold public trust, answer the following: (a) Bring out the dilemmas that you face, elaborating on the competing values in the given situation. (b) What are the options available to you? Discuss the merits and demerits of each. Which of these will you choose and why?

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