RCS-UDAN

Ministry of Civil Aviation’s flagship program Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has the objective to fulfil the aspirations of the common citizen with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities. UDAN achieved a number of new milestones in 2022.

• 50 New RCS routes commenced between 1^st  January, 2022 and 08 December, 2022.
• 05 Airports/Heliports Keshod, Deoghar, Gondia, Jeypore & Almora (H) operationalized.
• 10 new RCS routes commenced in North Eastern States in the country.
• 140 New RCS Routes awarded under UDAN 4.2 & 4.3.
• 16 New Airports/ Heliports/ water aerodromes identified under UDAN

Operation Ganga

The Government of India launched ‘Operation Ganga’ with the aim of safe evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine in the month of February-March 2022. Consequent upon the closure of Ukrainian airspace for international operations from the morning of February 24^th 2022, efforts were made to rescue and bring back the stranded Indian nationals by operating flights from Kyiv, Ukraine and cities of neighboring countries of Romania (Bucharest and Suceava), Hungary (Budapest), Poland (Rzeszow) and Slovakia (Kosice). A 3 member-delegation led by the Minister of Civil Aviation was deputed to Romania for coordinating the evacuation efforts of stranded Indian nationals in Ukraine.

More than 22500 Indian nationals were safely rescued from Ukraine by operating a total of 90 evacuation flights over the period. The cost of fare for the evacuation flights pursuant to closure of Ukrainian airspace was borne by the Government of India. 

Resumption of scheduled international connectivity

The operations of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India were suspended from 23^rd March, 2020 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease in India.  Subsequently, the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ was launched to help repatriate Indian nationals in foreign countries. During the period of suspension, to facilitate international connectivity and to restrict the transit travel, air bubble arrangements were established with 37 foreign countries under the Vande Bharat Mission.

The scheduled commercial international passenger services were resumed from 27^th March 2022 with the requirement of all such operations continuing to follow the SOPs issued by the MoHFW, as amended from time to time.

India's contribution in CORSIA/LTAG resolution by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

From the very beginning, India has been concerned about the implications of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) on the developing States. The aviation markets in these States are on a growth trajectory phase and have not flourished yet compared to the aviation market in the developed States. On 27th January 2022 a watershed event in the form of a high-level meeting of nine like-minded countries (LMC) in the ICAO Council was organized at the initiative of delegation of India. India was in talks with the LMCs and other ICAO Member States to negotiate the baseline in favor of the developing States and has succeeded in this endeavor.  With active support of like-minded countries, India has strongly advocated and has been able to lower the CORSIA baseline to 85% of 2019 emission to benefit Indian carriers along with reduction in ‘Individual Growth Factor’ for compliance cycles.

For ICAO’s Long Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG), India’s consistent efforts have successfully resulted in Resolutions being passed by the ICAO General Assembly for allowing national time frames, to not include any mandatory targets that could lead to punitive measures; and to incorporate the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities in LTAG.

International connectivity

India operates a wide ranging network of international flights and currently has Air Services Agreements with 116 countries. In terms of consistent efforts, India presently provides direct connectivity to more than 40 countries, whereas, connecting more than 100 countries through indirect routes. It has been ensured that connectivity is sustained from foreign countries by facilitating designation of foreign carriers as per the provisions of the bilateral ASA’s.

Since 2014, India has signed Memorandum of Understanding with more than 55 countries, wherein, in the year 2022 itself, India has revised MoUs with Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, DR of Congo, Sudan and Germany.

In addition to regular grant of permissions for charter operations from different countries, India has permitted carriage of passengers and cargo through non-scheduled charter operations from Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds. 

India’s re-election to ICAO Council

MoCA, along with MEA, undertook concerted efforts and organized an active campaign by convening a gathering of delegates from over 70 countries for supporting India’s candidature in ICAO Council. 

During the 41^st General Assembly of ICAO, India has been re-elected to the ICAO Council (2022-2025) under Part II, comprising of countries which make the largest contribution to the provision of facilities for international civil air navigation. 

Flying Training Organisations (FTO)

Flying Training Organisations are regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Aircraft Rules, 1937, require that the flying experience required for issue of private pilot and commercial pilot licenses shall be acquired only at DGCA-approved FTO.

There are 34 DGCA approved FTOs operating at 52 bases in the country as on 30^th November 2022. Of these, IGRUA at Amethi (UP) is under the Central Government, eight are under State Governments and 25 are owned by the private sector.

DGCA issued 1061 CPLs in 2022 (as on 29^th November 2022), an all-time high.  The number of CPLs issued in India over the last five years is as follows:

IGRUA, established in 1986, is India’s largest FTO, located at Amethi (UP).  It is an autonomous body under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. IGRUA completed a total of over 19,000 flying hours in financial year 2021-22, which is highest since its establishment, despite the severe disruption caused by Covid.

In 2020, Airports Authority of India (AAI) came up with a liberalised FTO policy wherein airport royalty payments (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) was abolished and land rentals were significantly rationalised.

In 2021, after a competitive bidding process, AAI awarded nine FTO slots at five airports at Belagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Lilabari (Assam). Four of these FTOs have been operationalized during 2022: one each at Jalgaon and Lilabari, and two at Kalaburagi. The remaining five FTOs are expected to be operational by March, 2023.

In June 2022, after a competitive bidding process, six more FTO slots were awarded by AAI at five airports namely: Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Hubballi (Karnataka), Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), Kishangarh (Rajasthan) and Salem (Tamil Nadu).  These FTOs are expected to be operational by December, 2023.

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
 

DGCA has processed 16401 number of flight crew licensing issue and renewal applications till date through the single window digital platform of eGCA during 2022 so far.

In the current year 2022, DGCA has issued the highest number of Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) in the last decade. The details of Pilot licenses & Ratings issued between the period 01.01.2022 to 06.12.2022 are as follows:

A new process for auto-filling of Pilot’s e-logbook by way of integration of Aircraft System data (ACARS/AIMS/ARMS) of Scheduled Airline Operators with eGCA has been initiated in the current year 2022. This system will enhance accuracy of e-logbook data, overcome fatigue for pilots by avoiding manual filling of e-logbook.

DGCA approved 28,122 Medical Assessments for Flight Crew and ATCOs during the year so far, including 21,177 Class 1, 4,997 Class 2 and 1948 Class 3 Medical Assessments.

DGCA issued Air Operator Permit for Scheduled Air transport Service to two Operators viz. M/s SNV Aviation Pvt Ltd (Akasa Air) on 7 July 2022 and M/s GSEC Monarch and Deccan Aviation (India One Air) on 24 June 2022. DGCA also issued 13 Air Operator Permits (NSOP) for under taking non-scheduled Air transport Service.

DGCA granted approval for operating new Flying Training Organisation namely M/s Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd. At Jalgaon Airport, Maharashtra in January 2022.

DGCA has issued new Aerodrome License at Deoghar, Hollongi, Jeypore and New Goa during 2022 so far.

A team of Auditors from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conducted an audit of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from 09.11.2022 to 16.11.2022. During the closing briefing, the ICAO team informed DGCA that the Effective Implementation of India has increased to 85.49% from the previous 69.95% to 85.49%.

Towards ease of doing business/simplification of regulatory procedures/requirements, 39 Civil Aviation Requirements have been amended during the year in line with ICAO provisions and need of stakeholders.

DGCA awarded Type Certificate to HINDUSTAN 228 on 10 May 2022. HINDUSTAN 228 is the first commuter category aircraft certified by DGCA that meets international airworthiness standards. The aircraft is designed and developed by TAR&DC, HAL Kanpur with state of art technology incorporating optimum use of composites and conventional materials. DGCA also issued Design Organization Approval to M/s SA Airworks under category of Alternate Procedure to Design Organization Approval (APDOA).

As a part of restructuring of DGCA, a total number of 416 new posts of Group A officers have been created in DGCA Headquarter and in Regional & Sub-regional Offices. DGCA would now have seven Regional offices and Sub-Regional offices, including Regional Offices at Hyderabad and Ahmedabad and Sub-Regional offices at Agartala, Nagpur, Amritsar, Dehradun and Jaipur. This would help in increasing the DGCA footprints across the country thereby strengthening the regulatory functions of DGCA with minimal physical movement.

Disinvestment of Air India

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) - empowered Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM) approved the highest price bid of M/s Talace Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of M/s Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd for sale of 100% equity shareholding of Government of India in Air India along with equity shareholding of Air India in AIXL and AISATS. The winning bid was for Rs 18,000 crore as Enterprise Value (EV) consideration for AI (100% shares of AI along with AI’s shareholding in AIXL and AISATS).

Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed amongst M/s Talace Pvt Ltd., Air India Ltd and Ministry of Civil Aviation. M/s Talace Pvt Ltd deposited the cash component of Rs. 2,700 crore (15% of Rs. 1800 crore) in the account of DIPAM and taken over the debt of Rs. 15,300 crore (85% of Rs.18,000 crore). Thus the process of strategic disinvestment of 100% stake of Government of India in Air India along with 100% stake in Air India Express Ltd and 50% stake in Air India SATS completed on 27.01.2022.

Measures taken for welfare of employees of erstwhile Air India:

A medical scheme for eligible retired/retiring employees of Air India was finalised, after due consultations with the stakeholders, on 16.02.2022. The scheme seeks to utilise the platform of CGHS and NHA for providing the medical facilities to the beneficiaries.

As on 12 Dec 2022, 39,228 CGHS cards, out of 42,600 beneficiaries, have been issued. The beneficiaries have been availing the OPD medical facilities through CGHS. For IPD facilities, the mechanism for processing the claims is likely to be finalized

Necessary measures for vacation of quarters by the employees of the erstwhile AIL at New Delhi and Mumbai have been taken. Estates Officer under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 has been appointed for New Delhi. Out of 3089 accommodation units in all regions, only 743 are now in possession of the AIL employees.

AI Asset Holding Limited (AIAHL)

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely, AI Assets Holding Limited was formed for warehousing accumulated working Capital Loan not backed by any asset along with four Subsidiaries, non-core assets, painting and artifacts and other non-operational assets of Air India Limited to a SPV. Earlier, in 2019, NCDs of Rs. 21985 crore was issued by AIAHL to pay the partial debt of Air India. Servicing of the interest of the same was done through budgetary support provided by Govt. of India. During the Financial Year 2021-22, an amount of Rs. 61,130.96 crore was provided by the Government to the erstwhile Air India Ltd. (AIL) through AI Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL) for settling guaranteed/other past dues/overdues. Further, during the Financial Year 2022-23, an amount of Rs. 7000 crore was provided by the Government to the AIAHL for repayment of NCDs (7000 crore) issued in 2019.

Various meetings have been held for expediting the disinvestment of AI Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL), AI Airport Services Ltd.(AIASL) and Alliance Airlines, the subsidiaries of AIAHL.

 Haj 2022

Haj 2022 operations commenced from 4th June, 2022 and completed on 13th August, 2022 smoothly and successfully. Three airlines i.e Saudi Arabian Airlines, Spicejet and Flynas carried 56,634 pilgrims from 10 embarkation points across India to Jeddah/ Madinah and back.

The Air Corporations (Transfer of Undertakings and Repeal) Act, 1994

With the disinvestment of Air India, the Air Corporations (Transfer of Undertakings and Repeal) Act, 1994 became obsolete. In view of this, the approval of the Cabinet has been obtained for repealing the said Act.

Digi Yatra

Digi Yatra policy is an initiative launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation for providing passengers seamless and hassle-free experience at airports without the need for verification of ticket and ID at multiple touch points. Digi Yatra has been launched by Minister of Civil Aviation on 01.12.2022 at Delhi, Bengaluru and Varanasi Airports. The implementation at Kolkata, Pune, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad Airports is planned by March 2023. It is to be implemented across all the airports in a phased manner. Digi Yatra App is available at android as well as IoS platform.

Drones

All five application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the DigitalSky Platform on 26^th January 2022.

Drone certification scheme has been notified on 26^th January 2022, making it easier to obtain type certificate by drone manufacturers.

Drone import policy has been notified on 9^th February 2022, banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components

Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 have been notified on 11^th February 2022, abolishing the requirement of a drone pilot licence.

Drone melas organised in 12 states across the country to highlight the uses cases and the policy reforms.

A grand Bharat Drone Mahotsav 2022 was organised at Pragati Maidan during 27^th-29^th May 2022 in the august presence of the  Prime Minister as the Chief Guest.  The event attracted over 70 drone exhibitors and 10,000 visitors, including school-children.

Air Cargo

AAICLAS has commenced Domestic Air Cargo Operations through domestic passenger terminal at 6 airports and dedicated cargo terminal at 3 airports as follows:

AAICLAS has commenced International Air Cargo Operations with Regulated Agent (RA) Operations from 3 airports as following:

AAICLAS has taken steps to implement e-CSD (Electronic – Cargo Security Declaration) in a phased manner. Provision has been created in the IT system. The first phase of testing at Chennai was successfully completed and the same will be implemented at Chennai in the next 04 to 06 months.

AAICLAS Cargo performance for Jan-Oct in Lakh MT is as follows:

Note: AAICLAS has handed over international cargo facilities at Trivandrum to PPP. Thus, the same is only included under India in the above table under 2022.

Aircraft Leasing and Financing

International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) issued ‘Framework for Aircraft Leases’ on 18 May 2022, to enable the aircraft leasing business in IFSCs in India. As of October 31, 2022, eighteen entities have registered for undertaking aircraft leasing business. Total of 11 aircrafts have been leased by aircraft leasing entities registered from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City GIFT IFSC as of 30 September, 2022. Recently, SEZ rules have permitted the movement of aircraft by IFSC-based lessor through any customs port, airport or landing station.

Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)

Under the revised MRO guidelines, Airports Authority of India (AAI) had initiated tenders in October 2021 for 12 MRO sites at 5 Airports viz. Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Begumpet (Hyderabad) & Juhu Airports. Against the bids received, AAI issued Letters of Intent (LoI) to the selected bidders for 3 sites of Bhopal on 22.02.2022. Under Round-2 of the bidding process, tenders for 13 MRO sites (Begumpet- 3, Chennai- 1, Juhu -3, Kolkata -4 and Tirupathi-2) at 05 Airports were published on 07.04.2022. AAI issued Letter of Intent (LOI) for Chennai site-1, Kolkata site-1 and Juhu site-1 on 10.10.2022. Selected bidders have submitted their CAR-145 certifications for issue of Letter of Award (LOA). LOA shall be issued after submission of performance Bank Guarantees by the respective selected bidders.

Krishi Udan -Seamless cost effective time bound air transportation for ‘Annadata’

Krishi Udan 2.0 which was announced on 27 October, 2021 will focus on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, north-eastern states and tribal areas. Under the Krishi Udan Scheme, Airports Authority of India (AAI) provides full waiver of Landing, Parking, Terminal Navigational Landing Charges (TNLC) and Route Navigation Facility Charges (RNFC) for Indian freighters and P2C (Passenger-to-Cargo) Aircraft primarily around 25 airports focusing on North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region and 28 airports in other regions/areas.

A review of Krishi Udan 2.0 Scheme was done by Ministry in 2022 after which 05 more airports have been added thus making it a total of 58 airports.

Greenfield Airports Policy

Government of India (Gol) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 which provides guidelines, procedure and conditions for establishment of new Greenfield Airports in the country. As per Policy, an airport developer, including the State Government, willing to establish an airport is required to send a proposal to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), in the prescribed format (available at www.civilaviation.gov. in) for a 2-stage process i.e. 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval. Government of India has so far accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of 21 Greenfield Airports across the country namely, Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Hassan and Shivamogga in Karnataka, Dabra (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh, Kushinagar and Noida (Jewar) in Uttar Pradesh, Dholera and Hirasar in Gujarat, Karaikal in Puducherry, Dagadarthi, Bhogapuram and Oravakal (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala and Donyi Polo, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh across the country.

Out of these, 9 Greenfield airports viz. Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar and Donyi Polo, Itanagar have been operationalized. Further one more greenfield airport i.e. Manohar international airport-Mopa Goa has been inaugurated on 11.12.2022 and ready for operationalization

AAI Airports

New Integrated Terminal Building of 30000 sqm area, for 1200 PHP and annual capacity of 3 MPPA & Apron for 6 additional parking Bays for A-321 type of Aircrafts at Agartala Airport at the cost of Rs. 450 crore was inaugurated on 04th January, 2022.

Development of Deoghar Airport by Deoghar Airport Limited {A joint venture of Airports Authority of India (51% equity stake) & Government of Jharkhand (GoJ) (49% equity stake)} in collaboration with DRDO for operation of Air Bus-321/ B737 type of aircraft at the cost of Rs. 400 crore with a grant of Rs. 200 crore from DRDO was inaugurated on 12th July, 2022

Amendments to Height Rules

Existing Height Rules governing height of the buildings around airports have been amended to ensure that infrastructure created at the airports may be utilized to the maximum extent without compromising the safety of aircraft operations.

Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan)

A nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) has been launched on December 3, 2015, to provide equal opportunities and protection of rights which provides non-discrimination in transport to Persons with Disabilities.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formulated the standard guidelines in respect of the whole Civil Aviation sector to make this campaign a success.

Addressing shortage of ATCOs

The country was facing acute shortage of ATCOs. The Ministry, with concurrence of DPE, approved creation of 340 more posts of ATCOs.

Flexible Use of Airspace

Optimum use of national airspace by fully implementing the concept of Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) has been suggested by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision. Regional Airspace Management Cells (AMCs) are established at Delhi and Chennai and the National AMC is established at Delhi. Till date, 128 Conditional Routes (CDRs) have been promulgated under FUA.

Special Campaign 2.0

The Special campaign 2.0 for disposal and pending matters and Swachhata was held in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, its attached offices, organisations and PSUs during 2nd to 31st October, 2022. The campaign focused on disposal of pending references, weeding out of old/redundant files, discarding of redundant scrap material and the overall cleanliness of the offices with a special focus on space management. During the campaign, a total of 43224 physical files were reviewed, out of which 32919 physical files were weeded out. 42, 786 square feet of space freed and revenue of Rs. 2, 65, 91,760/- generated from scrap disposal.

The campaign was conducted at 134 locations across the country from Srinagar to Port Blair and from Bhuj to Agartala. 100% disposal of pending VIP references, Inter ministerial references, PMO references etc. were achieved during the campaign. Several best practices including installation of sanitary napkin vending machines at female washrooms, distribution of jute bags to stop use of plastics, conservation of water bodies and other steps aimed at facilitation of the passengers at the airports, were observed.

Amendments in Aircraft Rules, 1937 towards Ease of Doing Business during 2022

Comprehensive amendments in Aircraft Rules, 1937 extending validity of various licenses etc. with an objective towards ease of doing business notified in official gazette on 08.04.2022. The brief details of the amendments made is as under:

1. Amendment in Rule 133A and Schedule II Section K and N of Aircraft Rules, 1937 notified on 01.04.2022. The brief details of the amendments made is as under:

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YB/DNS