'We have been able to meet the ICAO guidelines,' said Director General of Civil Aviation S.N.A. Zaidi.

'We have strengthened our navigation structure, and have also adopted adequate security and safety measures and have also sanctioned over 500 experts, of whom 95 were sent to the US, Singapore and other countries for training.'

Maintaining that DGCA had carried out surveillance of flight operations of domestic and foreign airlines, Zaidi said: 'We have taken action in 87 cases against aviation officials and airline operators.'

The government has also approved stringent action, which includes imprisonment and penalty of Rs.1 million, against those violating DGCA norms, he added.