Lok Sabha passes Aircraft (Amendment) bill, 2020

News: Lok Sabha has passed the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Facts:

About Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020

• It seeks to amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 which regulates the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of civil aircrafts, and licensing of aerodromes. 

Key Features:

• It provides statutory status to 3 bodies under ministry of civil Aviation. These include:
  • Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
  • Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)
  • Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB). 
• The bill adds air navigation services to the list for which the central government can make rules.The other matters include registration of aircraft, regulating air transport services, and prohibition of flight over any specified area.

Additional Information:

1. Directorate General of Civil Aviation: It is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues. It is responsible for regulation of air transport services and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards.
2. Bureau of Civil Aviation Security: It lays down standards and measures with respect to security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India.
3. Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau: It is responsible for classification of “Safety Occurrences” involving aircraft operating in the Indian Airspace into Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents.