National Civil Aviation Policy

The National Civil Aviation Policy was just announced by the government. The goal of the policy is to make flying accessible to everyone by making it affordable and convenient, to create an integrated eco-system that will encourage significant growth in the civil aviation sector to support employment, tourism, and balanced regional growth, to improve regional connectivity through infrastructure development and financial support, and to make doing business easier through deregulation, streamlined processes, and electronic governance.

What is National Civil Aviation Policy?

The National Civil Aviation Policy of 2016 asks for the development of an environment that enables both cost-effective freight transportation and safe, sustainable, and accessible air travel.

• Based on comments from the general public, various stakeholders, and specialists, the NCAP 2016 was finally finalized.

• On June 15, 2016, the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016) was approved by the Union Cabinet.

• The NCAP 2016 covers a variety of topics, including regional connectivity, safety, air transport operations, the 5/20 need for international operations, bilateral traffic rights, fiscal assistance, maintenance, repair, and overhaul, air cargo, and aeronautical "Make in India."

• On April 27, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the UDAN Scheme as a crucial element of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).

Objectives of NCA

There are some objectives of this policy-

• To establish a cohesive ecosystem that would encourage rapid expansion of the civil aviation industry, which will boost tourism, boost employment, and contribute to more evenly, distributed regional growth.

• To use technology and efficient monitoring to guarantee the safety, security, and long-term viability of the aviation industry.

• To increase infrastructure investment and financial support for regional connectivity.

• To deregulate, streamline processes, and implement e-governance to make it simpler to conduct business.

• To unify the promotion of the whole supply chain of the aviation industry, including skill development, general aviation, MRO, freight, and general aviation.

Key Features of NCA

It includes −

• Regional Connectivity Scheme − More than Rs. 2500 can no longer be charged by airlines for a one-hour flight connecting two minor cities. The government would contribute money to cover the losses incurred by airlines on certain unserviced routes.

  To improve regional connections, a 2% surcharge has been suggested for all domestic and international flights on metro routes. In the next three years, 50 no-frills airports—also known as low-cost airports—will be renovated. Airlines using these airports will receive discounts on landing fees, parking fees, and other costs.

• Private Security Organizations − For non-core security duties at the airports, private security agencies made up of former members of the armed forces and paramilitary forces would be promoted.

• Code-sharing arrangements − On a reciprocal basis, Indian airlines will now be permitted to contract with foreign carriers for any destination within India.

• Open-Sky Policy − On a reciprocal basis, India will extend this policy to nations located more than 5000 kilometers from Delhi. This entails that airlines from European or SAARC nations will have unrestricted access to Indian airports in terms of the number of flights and seats, increasing the frequency of travel between these nations.

• Growth of Helicopters − The development of helicopters will be encouraged in order to connect isolated and inhospitable locations. The DGCA will make helicopter-specific restrictions known.

Organisation Attached to Civil Aviation

There are four main organizations which are related to civil aviation in India-

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation − It is in charge of enforcing civil aviation laws and regulations as well as air safety and airworthiness standards. It also regulates air transport services to, from, and within India.

• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) − The BCAS's principal duties include setting rules and precautions for the security of civil flights at Indian airports, both domestic and international.

• Air India − Owned by Air India Limited, a company runs by the Indian government, it flies to 84 local and foreign locations with a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

• Airports Authority of India − It seeks to hasten the integrated growth, modernization, and expansion of the operational, terminal, and cargo facilities at the nation's airports in accordance with international standards.

Conclusion

Despite the NCAP's efforts to solve many of the structural problems plaguing India's aviation sector, it has a number of shortcomings that have dismayed stakeholders. The strain on state financial resources and the potential for price hikes are two of the most important effects of a VGF (Viability Gap Funding) system. Additionally, the policy ignores some problems that could have benefited the accomplishment of the policy's general objectives.

Additionally, the policy does not address the losses incurred by Air India. Despite these missed chances, the government's plan to adopt significant changes through the NCAP seems like a good one and would only help India continue its extraordinary growth rates.

FAQs

Q1. Who or what organization oversees civil aviation?

Ans. The civil aviation industry's regulatory authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), focuses mostly on safety-related matters.

Q2. What is the FDI policy for the aviation industry?

Ans. In scheduled air transport, regional air transport, and domestic scheduled passenger airlines, the government has authorized 100% FDI under the automatic route. Government clearance would be needed for FDI above 49%, though.

Q3. What is the goal of Indian civil aviation policy?

Ans. The sale of 30 million domestic tickets by 2022, 50 million by 2027, and 20 million international tickets by 2027 in order to establish an environment that makes flying accessible to the general public.