To herald changes in the domestic aviation sector, a slew of measures are being taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Among the first is a revamp of the airline regulator, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The government will soon also move a Bill in Parliament to establish a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); and a proposal has also been moved to restructure the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The Ministry is contemplating giving more functional autonomy to the DGCA for putting in place an effective, autonomous and professionally competent regulatory framework. It has been decided to establish a CAA under an Act of Parliament, and a Bill in this regard would soon be given shape and brought before the Union Cabinet for approval. Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh, said there is also a proposal to restructure the BCAS, and to constitute a dedicated security force which will soon see the light of the day. In addition to this, a proposal has been made to set up a National Aviation University for skill augmentation and to produce the next generation of aviation experts.
To give a thrust to regional connectivity, the process of providing air connectivity to remote and interior areas of the country, including the North-Eastern region and Tier II and Tier III cities is in the pipeline. “The new policy instrument in the form of Route Dispersal Guidelines is under consideration. It includes creation of Essential Air Services Fund (EASF) for providing direct subsidy, to encourage domestic airlines to fly on these remote and interior routes,” said Mr. Singh.
The Ministry is also in the process of enhancing the present operations of helicopters and construction of heliports at various places to improve the connectivity of smaller places with bigger cities. It will soon modify guidelines for acquisition of aircrafts, so that Indian carriers become bound to acquire smaller aircrafts needed for providing connectivity to smaller cities.
