Civil Aviation Authority to replace DGCA

A bill to replace the DGCA by a new aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), with full operational and financial autonomy is likely to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.
The Union Cabinet, at its meeting today, accorded in- principle approval to the proposal of the Civil Aviation Ministry, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said after the meeting.
The bill to establish the CAA is likely to be brought in the Monsoon Session, he said.
The CAA would replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and administer and regulate civil aviation safety, manage safety oversight over air transport operators, air service navigation operators and operators of other civil aviation facilities.

Interestingly, the proposed CAA, like the DGCA, would also deal with matters relating to financial stress on safety of air operations, as witnessed in connection with the closure of the bankrupt Kingfisher Airlines last year.
Issues relating to consumer protection and environment regulations in civil aviation sector would also be addressed by the CAA, according to the draft legislation.

The proposed authority would have a Chairperson, a Director General and 7-9 members, including five whole-time members. All of them would be appointed by the Centre on the recommendation of a Selection Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
The CAA is being established by the government to meet the standards set by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and in line with aviation regulators in other countries like the US Federal Aviation Administration and UK's CAA, official sources had said earlier.

The estimated cost of establishing the new Authority would be over Rs 110 crore, they said.