Everyone who's anyone is flying private in India. They're not really flying safe

In late January, a plane crash in Maharashtra killed the state's deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.

It also exposed something few had been paying attention to: India's booming private charter industry, where demand is surging, corners are being cut, and the regulator is struggling to keep pace.

There are now over 430 non-scheduled aircraft in the country. The top operator alone has 17 planes and 70-plus pilots. But between periodic audits, years-long crash investigations, and operators who'd rather fly with a broken light than lose a booking — the cycle of crash, probe, and forget has a way of repeating itself.

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