Now Reading: Pilots’ body writes to PM, seeks independent aviation regulator
-
01
Pilots’ body writes to PM, seeks independent aviation regulator
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Cabinet Secretary, urging the creation of an independent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to replace the Directorate General…
The Story in Brief
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Cabinet Secretary, urging the creation of an independent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In a 30-page letter sent on August 7, FIP president Captain C S Randhawa argued that the DGCA, which functions under the Civil Aviation Ministry, lacks the independence needed for robust oversight. He cited rising passenger traffic, fleet expansion, and an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendation from 2006 that India set up such a body. Randhawa noted that even Pakistan and the Maldives have autonomous aviation authorities. A similar effort, the Civil Aviation Authority of India Bill 2013, lapsed after the 2014 Lok Sabha dissolution.
The Indian Opinion
The FIP’s demand for an independent regulator is not new, a similar bill lapsed in 2014. Yet the narrative that DGCA is inherently weak overlooks its role in managing one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. The new Aircraft Act 2025 already strengthened DGCA, BCAS, and AAIB. The real test is whether the government will push a new CAA bill or dismiss this as a pilots’ wishlist. What concrete timeline does the PMO offer?
Sources (2): newindianexpress.com, ndtvprofit.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
