Faster clearance for private jets

New Delhi: Jetting in and out of India in private jets for foreign business magnates could soon become less traumatic. At present, any person wishing to fly to the country in a charter aircraft has to apply seven days in advance for permission. Now aviation ministry is planning to simplify the process by asking operators to create a registry of all private planes that may fly here from overseas and then seek online clearance.
Currently, such aircraft operator needs to apply a week in advance and then the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will issue a call sign (YA) to it. But the problem is that DGCA is severely understaffed as old timers keep retiring and new appointments are tough — all at a time when air traffic is booming.
As a result, clearing private charters often takes a back seat and India has earned a reputation for being a tough place to fly in on your own jet.
Restriction on private charters planes flying into India were tightened after the 1995 Purulia arms drop case. Now without compromising on security, the ministry is working on ways to make charters of genuine business leaders easier. One of the things being considered is of asking private plane owners abroad who keep flying to India to make a registry here.
"Once an aircraft on this list asks for permission to fly in, that may be granted online itself. We are still working out the details," said a source.
01/12/07 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Foreign Dec 2007, General Aviation Dec 2007