Govt abolishes ACC, scraps control over aircraft purchases by local airlines

22 Mar 2013 Evaluate
In yet another step towards liberalizing the civil aviation sector, after allowing 49% FDI in airlines the Civil Aviation Ministry has abolished the Aircraft Acquisition Committee (AAC), which used to allow import of planes by airlines and other operators. Pursuant to which, aviation regulator DGCA would now carry out the necessary formalities for airlines, private parties and flight training schools to get their fleet of planes or helicopters. 
 
Further, the permission for actual induction of aircraft will no longer be required from Ministry of Civil Aviation. Matters relating to initial no-objection certificate (NOC) and in-principle approval for acquisition of aircraft by scheduled operators would now be processed by DGCA. 
 
Moreover, as part of the requirements under the Aircraft Rules and RBI guidelines, from now onwards, only the initial NOC to launch scheduled or non-scheduled air transport services and in-principle approval for acquisition of aircraft would be required from the Ministry. 
 
With the abolition of AAC, it will remove duplication and also reduce delays in seeking approval and also do away with the cumbersome procedure, which airlines had to follow before acquisition of aircraft. The decision will also help airlines to plan better for future induction of aircraft and also maintain timeliness of acquisition. 
 
So far, ACC had approved acquisition of a total of 146 planes, including 35 each for IndiGo and Jet Airways-JetLite combine. Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had constituted the new AAC under the Ministry in October last year to consider, examine and make recommendations on all proposals for permitting import or acquisition of aircraft for various purposes.

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