23 Mar, 2013
India Frees up Aircraft-buying process, Need for Government approval dropped
Ministry of Civil Aviation, 21-March, 2013 — In a major decision taken by Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Ajit Singh, the Government has done away with the control over acquisition of aircraft by scheduled and non-scheduled operators, private operators and flying training institutes.
The permission for actual induction of aircraft will no longer be required from Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). Henceforth, only initial No Objection Certificate for operating scheduled air transport services and non-scheduled air transport services including regional air transport services, and in-principle approval for acquisition of aircraft by scheduled operators will be required from the MoCA, as this is a requirement under Rules 134 and 134A of the Aircraft Rules and the RBI guidelines to facilitate acquisition of aircraft.
The Minister has also abolished the Aircraft Acquisition Committee (AAC) as it is no more relevant. The matter relating to initial No Objection Certificate and in-principle approval for acquisition of aircraft by scheduled operators will now be processed by concerned Division of the Ministry.
At present, MoCA’s approval is required for issuing initial No Objection Certificate in cases of scheduled airlines, non-scheduled airlines, flying institutes and private category. Besides this, MoCA’s approval is also required for acquisition of aircraft by scheduled and non-scheduled operators, flying training institutes and for private use and also for replacement of aircraft. After implementation of this decision, no approval from MoCA will be required by anybody for actual import / replacement of aircraft and all such cases will be dealt by the DGCA for completion of necessary formalities.
This decision is another major step towards liberalization in the civil aviation sector after allowing 49% FDI in airlines. This will remove duplication and also reduce delays in seeking approval and will do away with the cumbersome procedure which airlines have to follow before acquisition of aircraft. The decision will help airlines to plan better for future induction of aircraft and also maintain timeliness of acquisition.
Permissions accorded for acquisition of aircraft w.e.f. December, 2011 to March, 2013
Total Approvals viz-a-viz application by scheduled airlines/private airlines are as under:
| Airline | Proposals (no of aircraft) | Approvals (no. of aircraft) |
| Blue Dart | 1 | 1 |
| Lepl Projects Limited | 4 | 4 |
| SpiceJet | 15 | 15 |
| Jet Airways | 33 | 33 |
| JetLite | 02 | 02 |
| Go Airlines | 04 | 04 |
| IndiGo | 35 | 35 |
| Freedom | 02 | 02 |
| Quikjet Cargo | 01 | 01 |
| Total | 97 | 97 |
Non Scheduled airline: 37 36
(One proposal for acquisition of aircraft has been differed at the AAC level, to meet with the existing procedure)
Flying training Institute: 08 08
Private Use: 05 05
In another development, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Mr K. C. Venugopal informed Rajya Sabha on 21 March that there is shortage of type rated Commanders in the country due to growth in aviation industry and induction of new aircraft in the fleet of airlines. However, sufficient number of co-pilots is available and employed with the airlines. There is no shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers in the aviation sector.
The Minister further said that as of date, there is no aviation university in the country in the private sector. Hence, the government proposes to set up “National Aviation University”at Indira Gandhi Uran Academy Complex, Fursatganj during the 12th plan.
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