CAPA: Indian aviation urgently needs an independent regulator to ensure safety levels

Earlier this week Bharat Bhushan, head of India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), was unexpectedly removed from his position. The timing and manner of his removal with no reason offered reflects a poor overall government approach to managing the sector.

Mr Bhushan's dismissal comes just a week after the Cabinet Appointments Committee extended his tenure, and with only three months to go before a new and full-time Director General was to be appointed.

The role of India's Civil Aviation Director General is a high profile and sensitive one and such actions not only have a negative impact on morale within the DGCA but greatly damage India's international image at a time when global sentiment on the India story, particularly on governance issues, is already in decline.