The civil aviation ministry on Thursday formally abolished of the Aircraft Acquisition Committee.
Now, for importing aircraft, non-scheduled and scheduled operators will require the initial no-objection certificate (NOC) for operating air transport services. Further, the scheduled operators will also require an in-prinicple approval for aircraft acquisition from the ministry of civil aviation.
?The ministry has abolished the Aircraft Acquisition Committee as it is not relevant any more,? an official statement said. ?The matter relating to initial NOC and in-principle approval for acquisition of aircraft by scheduled operators will now be processed by the concerned division of the ministry.?
In November 2012, FE had reported that the civil aviation ministry was considering simplifying the process of aircraft acquisition.
At present, apart from the ministry?s approval, buyers are required to approach the committee. ?After the implementation of today’s decision no approval will be required from the aviation ministry, apart from the initial NOC and the in-principle approval, for actual import or replacement of aircraft and all such cases will be dealt by the DGCA for completion of necessary formalities,? said a senior official of the civil aviation ministry.
The decision is expected to make importing of aircraft quicker for airlines. ?This will remove duplication and reduce delays in seeking approval,? said a civil aviation ministry statement.