IMPORT OF AIRCRAFT BY AIRLINES

The government has amended a 20-year-old rule to permit domestic carriers to import into the country, aircraft that are up to 18 years old. Till now, aircraft that are more than 15 years old were not allowed to be imported. The move is expected to provide a fillip for the government’s ambitious efforts to boost regional air connectivity as it gives more leeway for operators in expanding their fleet. As part of larger effort to improve ease of doing business in the domestic aviation sector, which has huge growth potential, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made changes to the rules that had come into effect in July 1993. With the revised norms, pressurised aircraft that are not over 18 years old or those which have not completed 50 per cent of design economic pressurisation cycle, can be imported. The regulations would be applicable for entities having scheduled, non-scheduled and general aviation operations.