It could be risky to take a commercial flight in India, according to a new safety audit from the International Civil Aviation Organization.For the audit, which spanned from 2017 to 2018, India’s safety ranking fell from 66% to 57%, putting it in the bottom 15 countries in the world that do not meet the ICAO’s minimum target rates.According to the regulatory group, which is the United Nations’ aviation body, it would be safer to fly in Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and even North Korea, than it would to to fly in India. Only tiny countries like Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Samoa have worse safety rankings than India, the Economic Times reported.The Annual ICAO Safety Report provides updates on safety indicators, including accidents and related risk factor and the ICAO works to achieve a balance between assessed risk and the requirements of effective risk mitigation strategies.This low ranking could cause major setbacks for some Indian airlines by the US Federal Aviation Administration, which conducted its third safety audit in India since 2013 this year. A downgrade like this could prevent Indian airlines from conducting new routes to the US or from forming alliances with US airlines. Additionally, this could mean carriers like Air India and Jet Airways could experience more plane checks when they land in the US.To tabulate the rankings, the ICAO examines licensing, operations, airworthiness, legislation, accident investigation, air navigation services and aerodromes. India fails to meet at least five of these eight categories, according to Media India Group. The nation’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is trying to improve these systems to meet the ICAO’s requirements.Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.H/T: The Economic Times
