Government Proposes Bill to Modernise Outdated Aircraft Act, Boosting Aviation Business

The government introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act. The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 aims to eliminate redundancies and update the Aircraft Act, 1934, which has been amended 21 times. This move comes as India emerges as one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally.

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Among its provisions, the bill seeks to regulate aircraft design and manufacturing, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative for self-reliance. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu introduced the bill, highlighting its importance in modernising aviation regulations. An official noted that once enacted, the issuance of Radio Telephone Operator Restricted Certificates and Licences will be handled by the aviation regulator DGCA under the civil aviation ministry.

Enhancing Regulatory Powers

The bill also aims to grant the central government more authority to prohibit or regulate specific construction activities, issue directives, detain aircraft, and enact emergency orders when necessary. These measures are intended to further improve the ease of doing business in the aviation sector. "The overall efforts are to further improve the ease of doing business in the aviation sector," an official stated.

Currently, these certificates are issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) after conducting a test. The new bill proposes that this responsibility be transferred to the DGCA, simplifying the process for pilot training completion. Naidu explained that the Aircraft Act of 1934 had been amended multiple times over the past 90 years, creating ambiguities and confusion among stakeholders.

Addressing Stakeholder Concerns

Naidu emphasised that there was a need to address these issues to remove redundancies and enable ease of doing business in the aviation sector. In a post on X, Naidu stated that the bill aims to remove redundancy, address all concerns, and align with global civil aviation principles. "The bill seeks to remove redundancy, address all concerns and aligns with the governing principles of civil aviation across the globe," he posted.

During the introduction of the bill in the Lower House, Naidu faced protests from a section of the opposition over its Hindi nomenclature. He responded by saying that objections to the bill's name were settled during discussions on three criminal justice laws: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. "We are not violating any part of the Constitution," he asserted.

Opposition's Concerns

RSP member N K Premachandran opposed introducing the bill and questioned the rationale behind changing its name. He argued that people from South India might struggle to read and understand it. "What is the logical reason for changing the nomenclature of the bill? People from south India will be unable to even read the name of the bill," Premachandran said.

The proposed legislation is part of broader efforts to streamline regulations and support India's growing aviation industry. By updating outdated laws and removing unnecessary complexities, it aims to create a more efficient regulatory environment for stakeholders.

This legislative change reflects India's commitment to modernising its aviation sector and supporting self-reliance through initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The new bill is expected to bring significant improvements in regulatory processes and enhance overall efficiency in civil aviation.