By Staff Correspondent
Private jets registered in foreign countries may soon bypass the need for approval from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to access certain airports owned by the Indian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is reportedly advocating for waiving the Air Operations Routine (AOR) requirements, which presently mandate prior clearance from the Air Force or Navy headquarters and clearance from the civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This proposal aims to streamline non-scheduled aircraft operations in India, particularly in civil enclaves, popular destinations for inbound tourism and trade.
Under the existing rules, private jet operators must submit applications to the airport’s armed forces unit at least 20 days in advance, providing detailed information about the foreign pilots and passengers, including passport numbers. The potential waiver of AOR requirements, if implemented, would come as a boon for high net-worth individuals and corporates visiting India, as well as various tourist charters operating to and from these airports, such as Dabolim airport in Goa, Hindon, Srinagar, Jodhpur, Pune, Chandigarh, and Gwalior.
Speaking on the matter, an official who spoke anonymously revealed, “A dialogue took place between the civil aviation ministry and defence ministry regarding the possibility of waiving AOR requirements for foreign-registered private jets. The intention is to streamline the process of non-scheduled aircraft operations in the country.” Another undisclosed source added, “The defence ministry’s decision regarding this matter is yet to be seen. However, considering that DGCA’s YA approval or prior permission is already in place for foreign-registered, non-scheduled flights from civil enclaves, if AOR can be waived, at least for select airports, it would undoubtedly simplify the process.”
Foreign-registered non-scheduled aircraft operations have faced heightened scrutiny following the notorious Purulia arms drop case in 1995, where unauthorized arms were dropped from an Antonov An-26 aircraft in West Bengal’s Purulia district. Nevertheless, private jet travel has witnessed a surge in demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many high-net-worth individuals and corporates opting for the safety and comfort of private aviation. To boost non-scheduled operations in the country, the civil aviation ministry introduced fractional ownership of business jets and helicopters in 2022, allowing owners to fly a fixed number of hours per year based on their investments. This move reflects the evolving landscape of private aviation in India and the increasing demand for exclusive travel options among the affluent.
