For the first time, India hosted the Asia-Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation for air safety and accident investigation. Around 90 aircraft accident investigators from Asia-Pacific ICAO member states and international organisations participated.
Key Highlights
- The meeting was hosted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
- The event focused on sharing expertise, improving coordination, and enhancing regional capacity in aircraft accident investigation.
- It provided a platform to discuss:
- Accident investigation methodologies and best practices
- Reporting and analysis procedures
- Safety data management and cooperation mechanisms
- Participants included representatives from:
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) member states in Asia-Pacific
- Regional investigation authorities and international aviation safety organizations
- Aim: To strengthen mutual cooperation, build regional capability, and enhance aviation safety through collaboration.
Asia-Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG)
- Established: By ICAO for the Asia-Pacific region.
- Objective: Promote cooperation, training, and exchange of investigation data among member states.
- Meetings: Held annually, hosted by any one ICAO member in the region.
- Members: ICAO Asia-Pacific states (~44 countries).
- Purpose:
- Develop regional mechanisms for effective investigation.
- Encourage capacity-building and resource sharing.
- Foster implementation of ICAO’s Annex 13 Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
About Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)– India
- Established: 30 July 2012
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Legal Framework: Functions under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.
- Mandate:
- Investigate civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents in Indian airspace.
- Classify safety occurrences as accidents, serious incidents, or incidents.
- Recommend preventive safety measures (not to assign blame).
- Current Operations: Handling ~25 accident investigations, including the 2024 Air India crash (260 fatalities).
International Mandate
- Established under Annex 13 of the Chicago Convention (1944) — the global aviation safety framework.
- Implements India’s State Safety Programme (SSP).
- Ensures alignment with ICAO’s SARPs for uniform global safety standards.
Scope of Work
- Investigates:
- All aircraft with All-Up Weight (AUW) > 2250 kg
- All turbojet aircraft
- Other incidents as deemed necessary
- Objective: Prevention of accidents and incidents, not liability determination.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- Established: 1944 under the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation
- Type: Specialized agency of the United Nations (UN)
- Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
- Members: 193 countries
- India: Founding member of ICAO
Governance Structure
| Body | Role |
| ICAO Assembly | Sovereign body; meets every 3 years; includes all 193 Member States |
| ICAO Council | 36-member governing body elected for 3-year terms |
| Secretariat | Headed by the Secretary-General; implements ICAO policies |
Key Functions
- Develops global aviation safety and security standards.
- Formulates SARPs (Standards and Recommended Practices) under 19 Annexes of the Chicago Convention.
- Promotes safe, efficient, and sustainable international air transport.
- Facilitates air navigation, safety audits, and cooperation among member states.
- Encourages liberalization and environmental responsibility in civil aviation.
Significance of Hosting APAC-AIG 2025 in India
- First-ever hosting by India – reflects growing aviation expertise.
- Enhances India’s leadership role in regional aviation safety management.
- Strengthens bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries.
- Showcases India’s commitment to ICAO Annex 13 standards and State Safety Programme (SSP).
- Promotes exchange of investigation technology, methodology, and training.
- Boosts India’s aviation diplomacy and global reputation in air safety.
Key Facts
| Topic | Key Facts |
| AAIB (India) | Established: 30 July 2012; HQ: New Delhi; Under MoCA; Investigates civil aircraft accidents; Follows ICAO Annex 13; Led by the Director General (AAIB). |
| Chicago Convention (1944) | Signed on 7 December 1944; created ICAO; defines global standards for civil aviation. |
| ICAO | UN specialized agency; HQ in Montreal, Canada; 193 member states; India is a founding member. |
| Annex 13 to Chicago Convention | Deals specifically with Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation. |
| Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017 | Indian legal framework for aviation accident investigation under MoCA. |
| State Safety Programme (SSP) | A national framework under ICAO guidelines for improving aviation safety performance. |
| Asia-Pacific Region under ICAO | Comprises 44 states; includes major aviation nations such as India, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, etc. |
| Recent Air India Crash Mentioned | June 12, 2024; 260 fatalities; under investigation by AAIB. |