Page 2 - Aviation Ministry

Efforts on to make India global aviation hub, build aircraft: KR Naidu

Highlighting the aviation sector's growth potential, Union minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said efforts are on to make India a global aviation hub as well as to start manufacturing aircraft in the country. With Asia-Pacific region poised to lead global aviation growth, Naidu said strategic investments in infrastructure and collaboration amongst the regional stakeholders is critical to achieving sustainable growth across the sector. Speaking at the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in the national capital, Naidu emphasised on three elements -- infrastructure, integration and innovation -- for the sector's growth. "My ministry is working with the vision of establishing a seamless aviation landscape in the country, integrating helicopters and seaplane operations alongside wide-body aircraft under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN," he noted. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and the fleet size of domestic carriers

Working to extend Udan scheme by another 10 years: Rammohan Naidu

The government intends to offer viability gap funding for seaplane operations, Naidu said

India to boost helicopter manufacturing, says aviation minister Naidu

Expanding the helicopter industry presents a significant opportunity and the government is set to advance towards manufacturing helicopters, Union Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said on Friday. India is poised for a significant transformation in its aviation sector with the introduction of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024, he said. The Bill was moved for passage in the Lok Sabha on Friday. It promises to enhance the country's aviation capabilities, including helicopter manufacturing and the introduction of seaplanes. In a speech delivered while introducing the Bill, the minister highlighted the potential for growth in India's helicopter industry, noting that the country operated just 250 helicopters at present. "This is a great opportunity to tap into. We are going to manufacture helicopters and the state-of-design element in the Bill will improve the establishment of manufacturing plants and designs," he said. The minister expressed confidence that once the .

Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak to address discrepancies in aviation law: Govt

The government on Thursday said the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which seeks to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, would address the current discrepancies in the aviation law and help the industry grow. Speaking during a discussion on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu underscored the need for the new legislation, noting that the Aircraft Act, 1934 has become outdated due to its numerous amendments over the years. The Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 31, is intended to "regulate various aspects of the aviation industry, including the design, manufacture, maintenance, operation, and sale of aircraft". Naidu explained that the 1934 Act had undergone 21 amendments, resulting in ambiguities and contradictions, particularly regarding the powers and functions of internal organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He pointed out that these issues have created confusion within the aviation sector, ..

Priority to bring down airfares: Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu

Naidu also said that his target is to make India the biggest domestic civil aviation market in the whole world

Govt to develop more airstrips, calibrate airport rules, says official

The civil aviation ministry is looking at developing more airstrips as well as calibrating regulations for major and small airports to boost air connectivity, a senior official said on Wednesday. India is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world, with domestic air traffic on the rise and airlines expanding their fleet as well as operations. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam said the number of airports in the country has increased to 157 from 74 in the last ten years. The ministry has reviewed the full list of 453 airstrips in the country and around 157 of them are operational, he said and added that more airstrips would be developed as brownfield projects. Also, efforts will be made to jointly develop more defence airfields for civil aircraft operations. Speaking at the CAPA India Aviation Summit 2024 in the national capital, the secretary said the ministry would look at calibrating regulations for major and small airports. These are steps aimed at

NCLAT stays insolvency proceedings against Deccan Charters till April 26

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has stayed insolvency proceedings against Captain GR Gopinath's Deccan Charters till April 26, 2024, its next date of hearing. Earlier, the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had directed initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP), admitting a plea of financial creditor Krone Finstock claiming a default of around Rs 10 crore. The Chennai bench of NCLAT on a petition filed by Sanjay Saihgal, a director of the suspended board of Deccan Charters, on Wednesday directed Krone Finstock to file a reply within four days. A three-member bench of the appellate tribunal also directed the interim resolution professional (IRP) not to proceed any further till the next date of hearing i.e. April 26, 2024. Deccan Charters provides services such as aircraft maintenance, aviation training and charter services of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. The NCLT had also appointed an IRP for the company, which

'Strict' action if airlines violate new rules, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

On Tuesday, the minister had asked the airlines to set up war rooms to address issues of affected passengers immediately

War rooms, more manpower: Aviation ministry's plan to deal with fog chaos

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced measures that will be taken to handle the fog-induced chaos at the Delhi airport and elsewhere, resulting in severe flight delays

Delhi Airport chaos continues as dense fog delays 30 flights, cancels 17

Freezing temperatures and low visibility due to dense fogs in Indira Gandhi International Airport disrupt travel plans in north India for a second day; DGCA calls for real-time flight updates

Fog impact: Give real-time update on flight delays, DGCA tells airlines

DGCA to issue SOP to airlines for better communication with passengers as fog impacts flight operations, he added

Ram Mandir: Aviation minister flags off Ahmedabad-Ayodhya direct flight

Indigo will operate on the Ahmedabad - Ayodhya route, thrice a week, Thursday onwards

DGCA increases rest time among other reforms to address pilot fatigue

The new reforms include weekly rest periods of 36-48 hours for flight crew, increasing the official "night period" by an hour, and limiting maximum flight time & duty periods to 8 hours and 10 hours

Establishment of aviation ombudsman needs deliberations: Aviation secretary

Airlines free to charge fees for preferential seats during web check-in: Aviation secretary

Scindia lays foundation for Rs 350 cr new terminal at Rajamundry Airport

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday laid the foundation for a Rs 350 crore new terminal building at Rajamundry Airport. Spread across 17,029 sq metres, the new terminal can handle 2,100 passengers during peak hours and has a capacity to handle 30 lakh passengers annually. "Andhra Pradesh is a culturally rich state with traditional festivals, arts and handicrafts. Expanding Rajamundry airport will protect and encourage this legacy," said Scindia's office in a post on 'X'. According to the Civil Aviation Minister, the new terminal will be four times larger than the existing one. Insulated roofing, LED lighting and a rainwater harvesting system are some of the environmental friendly features of the new terminal, which will also be equipped with 28 check-in counters and four conveyor belts.

Ayodhya airport to be ready by month-end, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

The grand inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is set for January 22 next year

Aviation ministry unlikely to take hasty call on 5G altimeter's replacement

Telcos remain confident that 5G signals in C-band won't impact flights

India's struggling carrier Akasa blames regulator 'inaction' as pilots quit

Akasa is suing some of the pilots for alleged contractual violations, and has warned in court that it might have to shut down if the exits continue

With 148 airports in place, over 12.3 mn people travelled via Udan flights

To facilitate the scheme, the government operationalised 148 airports which included nine heliports and two water aerodromes

Average spot airfares drop up to 33% in a week: Aviation ministry

Fares on the Mumbai-Delhi route (for travel on Wednesday), however, increased 29% to Rs 7,394 as compared to last week