India To Create Autonomous Civil Aviation Authority

Regulatory/Legislative

Aviation Daily Oct 25 , 2010 , p. 11

Neelam Mathews

Following an air crash in Mangalore in May, India has put the creation of an autonomous Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on a fast track to ensure aviation safety, security and effective regulation of air transport in the country. The CAA will have more flexibility and autonomy than the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on financial and administrative matters, and will bring about even more safety, Nasim Zaidi of the DGCA said. Zaidi said the time frame for the formation of the CAA is 18-24 months. The CEO of the authority will also serve as the chairman, once the new authority is cleared by parliament. A comprehensive Indian Aviation Law will replace the existing acts relating to aviation and security to put the proposed CAA in place. “We (now) have a regulatory framework for surveillance and safety systems and have developed a strong safety information analysis system,” said Zaidi. The functions of the CAA will include setting up standards for various agencies and personnel in the civil aviation sector, issuing licenses to agencies, such as airports and aircraft operators and personnel (pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers), and regulating tariffs. The CAA will also be in a position to take preventive, corrective or punitive action against agencies and personnel for violations and ensure ethical trade practices. An important function of the Civil Aviation Authority will be to conduct safety and security audits, including flight inspections of agencies to ensure the prescribed standards are being met.