Aircraft (Amendment) Bill

Last updated: 11 September 2007

NEW DELHI: A bill to enhance powers of Directorate General of Civil Aviation, increase penalties for violation of aviation laws and ensure proper safeguards in safety and security areas was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2006 was passed by a voice vote without any discussion as slogan-shouting Opposition members trooped into the well on the nuclear issue.

The legislation, which was moved by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, aims at amending the 1934 Aircraft Act by taking into account vast developments in the global aviation scenario and seeks to lay down fresh and appropriate guidelines and safeguards in keeping with these changes.

Besides enlarging the scope of powers of DGCA and empowering it to perform safety oversight functions, the bill empowers the government to detain any aircraft violating laws while inside the Indian airspace and impose penalties for such flying which could cause danger.

It also seeks to enhance the quantum of penalties for violation of Aircraft Act and Rules to up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs ten lakh.

The bill empowers the Central government to license the personnel of Air Traffic Control, besides certifying, inspecting and regulating communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management and safeguarding the civil aviation against unlawful interference.

It also distinguishes between an 'accident' and an 'incident', with the former involving loss of lives unlike the latter as per the bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons.

The legislation lays down standards set for safety and security as determined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the provisions of the Chicago Convention on international civil aviation