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A new nationwide survey has revealed mounting public concern over the priorities of Indian airlines amid a series of aviation incidents across the country. According to the latest findings by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles, 76 per cent of respondents believe that many domestic carriers are focusing more on brand promotion than on ensuring passenger safety.

The online survey, which gathered over 44,000 responses from people in 322 districts across India, comes in the wake of multiple high-profile aviation mishaps. These include both mid-air emergencies and runway incidents, reigniting the debate around airline safety standards in India.

Recent Incidents Raise Alarm

The survey’s release coincides with several alarming events involving Indian carriers. Most notably, a Tata Group-run Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick last month, resulting in the tragic death of 241 passengers and 19 individuals on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the incident and has submitted a preliminary report.

More recently, passengers on an Air India Kochi-Mumbai flight escaped injury after the aircraft veered off the runway upon landing. On the same day, another Air India flight from Delhi to Kolkata aborted takeoff due to a technical fault, while an IndiGo flight from Goa made an emergency landing linked to a landing gear issue. Meanwhile, a SpiceJet Bombardier Q400 operating between Goa and Pune saw its exterior window frame detach mid-flight, triggering panic among passengers.

Survey Findings Reflect Widespread Discontent

When asked, "Do you believe India-based airlines are spending more on publicity than on safety?", 43 per cent of 26,696 respondents said “yes, all of them,” while another 33 per cent said “yes, some of them.” Only 11 per cent disagreed, and 13 per cent were undecided. Summing up the responses, LocalCircles reported that “76 per cent Indian airline passengers surveyed believe that many airlines are spending more on publicity than safety.”

In another question regarding flight experience, 64 per cent of 17,630 respondents said they had faced at least one rough flight over the past three years, involving a difficult takeoff, inflight disturbance, or challenging landing. A notable 75 per cent of those said that over half of their flights fell into this category, pointing to systemic issues in airline operations and safety protocols.

Diverse Participation Adds Weight To Results

The survey reflects a broad demographic mix, with 63 per cent male and 37 per cent female participants. It also captured insights from different geographic segments, with 46 per cent respondents from Tier 1 cities, 25 per cent from Tier 2 cities, and the remaining 29 per cent from Tier 3, 4, 5 towns and rural areas.