The Lok Sabha on Friday passed a bill aimed at replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act and further enhancing the ease of doing business in India's burgeoning aviation sector.
The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 seeks to eliminate redundancies and replace the Aircraft Act, 1934 — which has been amended 21 times — as India continues to be one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets.
The bill aims to resolve existing inconsistencies between various aviation laws and establish a coherent regulatory environment with well-defined chapters and clauses.
With this new legislation, the Ministry of Civil Aviation also aims to promote ease of flying by implementing a robust regulatory framework, encouraging foreign direct investment, and ensuring compliance with international conventions and best practices.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who introduced the bill for passage, underscored the government's commitment to addressing concerns related to airfares.
Naidu announced plans to establish an efficient online grievance redressal mechanism to manage passenger complaints and ensure timely resolutions. This mechanism aims to balance the interests of airlines and passengers, preventing exploitation through excessive airfares while maintaining the financial viability of airlines.
The bill aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by introducing provisions for regulating aircraft design and manufacturing. This is intended to promote self-reliance within the aviation sector, bolstering domestic production capabilities and technological advancements, Naidu said.
The minister also highlighted the bill's role in fostering growth in the helicopter industry, noting that India currently operates around 250 helicopters. The new regulations are expected to boost domestic manufacturing and design capabilities.
Addressing concerns raised about the language used in the bill, Naidu clarified that only a small portion of the text is in Hindi, with the majority in English. He dismissed claims of language imposition, emphasising the government's respect for all Indian languages and the inclusive nature of the legislation.
During the debate, Naidu also discussed the success and future of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), which has launched over 500 routes across India. He acknowledged challenges such as airlines withdrawing from certain routes after three years and indicated that the government might re-bid these routes to maintain the scheme's momentum and improve regional connectivity.
The minister stressed the importance of airport infrastructure in state development and the need for prompt action to address related issues.
He spoke of the collaborative efforts between central and state governments for land acquisition and development, warning that neglecting these issues could lead to significant problems in the future.
The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 was passed by a voice vote.
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