The Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020

The Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020 of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 19th September, 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. Some of the key provisions include:

• Authorities: It converts three existing bodies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into statutory bodies.

The three authorities are:

1. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): It will carry out safety oversight and regulatory functions with respect to matters under the act
2. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): It will carry out regulatory oversight functions related to civil aviation security
3. The Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB): It will carry out investigations related to aircraft accidents and incidents

• Each of these bodies will be headed by a Director General who will be appointed by the Central Government.
• The central government may issue directions to these authorities on matters related to their functions, if considered necessary in public interest.

Exemption for Armed Forces: Along with aircraft belonging to the naval, military, or air forces of the Union, aircraft belonging to any other armed forces of the Union will also be exempted from the provisions of the Act.