Exclusive! Extension to DGCA or Not? What Then?
Neelam Mathews Nov 19, 2013 As the dates draw nearer for the FAA to follow up on its International Aviation Safety Assessment Program (IASA) on India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 33 areas of compliance pointed out in its September audit, we are hearing the present DGCA Arun Mishra will be leaving his position on Dec 31, this year as Mamata Banerjee has not approved his extension and wants him back in her state. AerospaceDiary could not confirm this. If this were to happen, moving forward, this will be a big blow to the many initiatives introduced and in planning stage at the DGCA. Apparently, FAA is not buying what the Indians hoped would have helped them cross the murky waters of compliance following Mishra’s stint and experience at ICAO. If FAA gives DGCA a Cat 2 rating, air carriers from India cannot initiate new service and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the US while corrective actions are underway. FAA...