DGCA likely to make it easier for small operators to start flight operations

By Mihir Mishra
NEW DELHI: India’s civil aviation regulator is likely to make it easier for companies to start flight operations, especially those seeking to use small planes. It’s also recommended that small operators be allowed to run scheduled services to boost connectivity of destinations that aren’t served by airlines.

DGCA is preparing a new set of civil aviation rules that would substantially ease the process of getting an air operator’s permit or flying licence for so-called non-scheduled operators (NSOPs), said a senior official at the regulator. Such companies typically run corporate or chartered flight services.

The proposed rules could result in the time an NSOP needs to get a flying licence being slashed to six months from around a year now.

Currently, both scheduled and non-scheduled operators have to meet the same guidelines for a flying licence.

“It has been found that the NSOPs do not need to meet a lot of conditions to get a licence, which the scheduled operators have to, since they operate with much lesser complex aircraft and systems. The work is on for a less complex set of rules for them, making them simpler,” said the DGCA official cited above.

The new rules are likely to categorise general aviation operators into two — companies that operate smaller and less complex aircraft and others that operate large aircraft as well. The rules are likely to be simpler for the first and more elaborate for the second.

Operators welcomed the move.

“This was a long-pending demand from our side since we do no need to go through such a complex process for licences like the scheduled operators.

This is a step in the right direction,” said RK Bali, secretary of the Business Aircraft Operators’ Association.

There are about 130 NSOPs in the country that are registered with the DGCA.

Other proposals being considered include allowing NSOPs to engage in scheduled commuter or shuttle services to encourage

side since we do no need to go through such a complex process for licenc es like the sched uled operators.

This is a step in the right direction,“ said RK Bali, sec retary of the Busi ness Aircraft Op erators' Association.

There are about 130 NSOPs in the country that are registered with registered with the DGCA.

Other proposals being considered include allowing NSOPs to engage in scheduled commuter or shuttle services to encourage air connectivity in and out of tierII and tier-III cities.

“We have recommended this, but the government has to take a call. This will help in increasing regional connectivity,” said the DGCA official.

If this is allowed, NSOPs will have the right to publish flight schedules and run flights on routes not served by existing scheduled airlines. Unlike scheduled airlines, an NSOP doesn’t operate flights to a timetable, but does so depending on the business it gets. The new government has shown itself to be keen on strengthening air connectivity, with new aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati having reportedly approved proposals for six new airlines.