Why in News?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation tabled the “The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024” that replaces the Aircraft Act 1943, to put aside the colonial legacy of aviation - one of the most modern and hi-tech sectors.

The Aircraft Act 1934 is an act to make better provision for the control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1943
• Objectives of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024
• What are the Major Additions in the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024?

Need to Replace the Aircraft Act 1943:

• The Act has been amended several times to enhance safety, oversight, and to meet requirements for sustainable growth of the aviation sector and to give effect to the provisions of international conventions.
• As a result of numerous amendments, a need is felt to address the ambiguities and confusion experienced by the stakeholders,
  • To remove redundancies,
  • To simplify processes and improve ease of doing business,
  • To provide for design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment.

Objectives of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024:

• The proposed legislation will bring the Radio Telephone Operator Restricted (RTR) Certificate and Licence testing process from the Department of Telecom (DoT) to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
  • This would ease the process for pilots as they can secure all their certificates from one authority.
• Empower the Central Government -
  • To make rules to implement the Convention relating to international civil aviation and other matters relating to civil aviation security.
  • To issue orders in emergencies in the interest of public safety or tranquility.
• Provide for payment of compensation for loss or damage in such manner as provided under the Act.
• Provide for appeals against matters relating to compensation, licenses, certificates, or approvals, and adjudication of penalties.
• Provide for imprisonment, fines, or penalties for contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder.

What are the Major Additions in the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024?

• The government has changed the definition of what qualifies as an aircraft, with balloons and gliders removed.
• The Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules -
  • Regulating the design, manufacture, maintenance, possession, use, operation, sale, export, or import of any aircraft or class of aircraft and
  • For securing the safety of aircraft operations.
• The new bill has given more powers to the DGCA, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) over the safety of the aviation environment in the country.
• It empowers the Central Government or any officer to suspend, cancel, or restrict any license or certification granted under the Act.
  • However, an opportunity for hearing must be given to the affected party prior to passing such an order.
• A concept of second appeal against such an order has also been added.
  • So earlier there was one appeal and then a final appeal to the Secretary MoCA.
  • Now an interim appeal in between has been added.