Securing air operator permit can take over six months, say sources

FIPB has approved the Tata-AirAsia JV, but that't the first hurdle among many more ahead

The Tata-AirAsia joint venture airline cleared the first hurdle in securing approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board but securing an operating permit can take over six months, said aviation sources.

Securing air operators permit is a two fold process and can take over six months. First the airline will have to approach the civil aviation ministry for a no objection certificate. The airline has to submit details related to its business plan, availability of capital, etc to the ministry. "The main aspect is the security clearance of directors on the board. If a director is of foreign national, clearance is secured from all government enforcement departments,'' aviation source said.

After the NOC is received, the airline will have to send in an application to the DGCA for an Air Operators Permit (AOP)." The airline will have to demonstrate its readiness to start operations. It will have to submit details to the regulator of its pilots, crew requirement, hiring and its plans for maintenance, operations, training  and flight safety.

Detailed engineering, quality control and operation manuals also have to be submitted. DGCA also carries out inspections of facilities and maintenance centre. The airline can carry out major maintenance checks abroad but it has to be in approved facilities.,'' a former DGCA official said.

In the long drawn process, the airline is allowed to depute its pilots and engineers from Malaysia for its Indian operations. However, Malaysian employees have to undergo security clearances, endorsed licences or with issuance of fresh licences.

He added that slots will be granted only after an airline receives AOP. An airline can apply for slots once DGCA is convinced of the readiness of the airline company, but slots will be granted only on issuance of the permit.