National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP)
The government of India has released the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2016), which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 15th June 2016. This policy covers areas such as Regional Connectivity, Air Transport Operations, Safety, 5/20 Requirement for International Operations, Bilateral Traffic Rights, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, Fiscal support, Air-cargo and Aeronautical 'Make in India'. The UDAN Scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th April 2017, is a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).
Aim of the policy
This policy attempts to make flying available to everyone by making it affordable and convenient, to establish an integrated eco-system that will lead to considerable growth of the civil aviation sector in order to promote and give a boost to tourism, employment and contribute to balanced regional growth, enhance regional connectivity through fiscal support and development in infrastructure as well as enhance ease of conducting business through deregulation, simplification of regulations and processes and e-governance.
The government aims to enable 30 crore domestic ticketing by the year 2022 and increase it to 50 crore by 2027, similarly international ticketing to increase to 20 crore by 2027. Cargo volumes are also set to increase to 10 million tonnes by 2027.
Key features of the policy
•Scrapping of the old 5/20 rule and replacing it with 0/20 norm: Previously, a domestic airline could start international operations only after completing five years of domestic operations plus having a fleet of at least 20 aircraft. According to the new rules, however, they will be required to deploy 20 aircrafts or 20% of the total fleet size, whichever is higher on domestic routes in order to get international flying rights.
•Private Security Agencies: Private security agencies that comprise of retired personnel from the military and para-military forces will also be encouraged for non-core security functions at all the airports.
•Regional Connectivity Scheme: As per the new regulations, airlines can no longer charge more than Rs. 2500 for a 1-hour flight which connects two small cities. The government is set to provide all kinds of financial support to fund the losses suffered by the airlines on such routes. In order to boost regional connectivity on all flights on metro routes, a levy of 2 percent has been proposed on all domestic as well as international airlines. 50 No frills Airports (also called low-cost airports) are to be revived in the next three years, and the airlines operating from these airports are to get concessions on charges of landing, parking, and numerous other concessions.
•Open Sky Policy: India is to have this policy for countries beyond 5000 km radius from the city of Delhi on a reciprocal basis, meaning that airlines belonging to the European or SAARC countries, will have unlimited access, to Indian airports in terms of number of flights and seats, which would lead to increased flight frequencies with all these countries.
•DGCA: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would be provided with the necessary administrative and financial flexibility for an effective aviation safety oversight system and to create a transparent single-window system for all aviation safety issues.
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/aircraft-qantas-air-new-zealand-123005/