For better enforcement of air safety standards, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will soon be empowered to penalise airlines and airports for various offences and non-compliance of air regulations.
Under the present rules, the DGCA is authorised to either suspend the operations of airlines or airports or take away their licence, but has no powers to impose fines or penalties.
“Generally, we are not able to take any action because we don’t want to take extreme steps such as suspending the operations as it also affects customers. Currently, we have to file a case in the court to take any action against the operators even for small violations,” said a senior DGCA official, on condition of anonymity.
The Civil Aviation Ministry will soon send a proposal to amend the Aircraft Act, 1937, to the Law Ministry, to empower the DGCA to impose fines for violations under the Act.
The violations include operating aircraft without the specified minimum crew, flying without a valid pilot licence or medical fitness, not maintaining records, fraudulent entry in logbooks and not maintaining airports.
“Many of the violations can be easily controlled. The DGCA can levy a fine immediately which the operator will have to pay,” a Civil Aviation Ministry official said.
23/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
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Under the present rules, the DGCA is authorised to either suspend the operations of airlines or airports or take away their licence, but has no powers to impose fines or penalties.
“Generally, we are not able to take any action because we don’t want to take extreme steps such as suspending the operations as it also affects customers. Currently, we have to file a case in the court to take any action against the operators even for small violations,” said a senior DGCA official, on condition of anonymity.
The Civil Aviation Ministry will soon send a proposal to amend the Aircraft Act, 1937, to the Law Ministry, to empower the DGCA to impose fines for violations under the Act.
The violations include operating aircraft without the specified minimum crew, flying without a valid pilot licence or medical fitness, not maintaining records, fraudulent entry in logbooks and not maintaining airports.
“Many of the violations can be easily controlled. The DGCA can levy a fine immediately which the operator will have to pay,” a Civil Aviation Ministry official said.
23/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
