GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION
TECHNICAL CENTRE, OPP. SAFDARJUNG AIRPORT, NEW DELHI.
AIR TRANSPORT CIRCULAR NO. 02/2017
File No. AV.14027/AAC/2012-AT-1 Issue II, Dated: 19.09.2022
SUBJECT: PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING PERMISSION FOR IMPORT/
LOCAL ACQUISITION OF AIRCRAFT
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Aircraft Act 1934, Section 5, interalia, empowers the Central Government to make
rules for regulating the Export/Import of an aircraft for securing the safety of
operation. The requirements for import of aircraft are laid down by Director General
of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce, from time to time.
1.2 As per the order issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation and requirements contained in
DGFT notifications, DGCA shall issue permission for Import/Local Acquisition of
aircraft by Scheduled Operator, Scheduled Commuter Operator, Non-Scheduled
Operator, Flying Training Organisations (FTO), holder of Aerial Work Authorisation
and will recommend to DGFT for issue of Import License for import of aircraft for
private use and for Central/State Govt./Public Sector Undertakings.
1.3 DGCA also issues permission to individuals/Company etc. for Import/Local
acquisition of microlight aircraft, powered hang gliders and hot air balloons for
private use, hobby flying, joy rides etc. The relevant DGCA CAR regarding Design,
Manufacture, Registration and Operation including MHA requirements of such
category of aircraft shall be complied by the applicant.
1.4 The permission for import of aircraft, except in case of aircraft for private use and
Central/State Govt./Public Sector Undertakings shall be issued in two stages,
namely “In-Principle approval” and “NOC for Import”. The permission for Local
acquisition of aircraft shall be issued in one stage as “Permission for Local
Acquisition”.
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1.5 Directorate of Air Transport (DAT) shall issue In-Principle approval/Permission for
local acquisition for all categories of aircraft in consultation with other relevant
Directorates of DGCA.
1.6 In case of import of aircraft for private use and Central/State Govt./Public Sector
Undertakings Import Licence from DGFT shall be required.
2. PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1. Application
An application for In-Principle Approval/NOC for Import/Permission for Local
Acquisition of aircraft shall be submitted to Directorate of Air Transport (DAT),
O/o DGCA online through eGCA portal along with requisite fees as mentioned at
para 2.3 and following enclosures, as may be relevant for the category of
applicant.
i. Initial NOC issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in case of a new applicant
intending to undertake Scheduled/Scheduled Commuter Air Transport
Services.
ii. Scheduled/Scheduled Commuter operator shall submit a Parking
Permission for the intended aircraft issued by Aerodrome Operator licensed
for Public Use.
Note: Operators of all other categories may either submit a parking
permission as above or submit an undertaking that the subject aircraft shall
be parked appropriately complying with all the prescribed safety and
security requirements contained in relevant regulations. Such undertaking
shall be applicable only for obtaining permission for Import/Local
Acquisition of the aircraft.
iii. Document indicating the arrangement made for Continuing Airworthiness
(CAMO) and Maintenance of the intended aircraft to be imported.
iv. Compliance statement in respect of FDI as specified in the applicable AIC.
v. Certificate from Chartered Accountant/Company Secretary stating the
Paid-up capital of the organisation (only for Scheduled/Non-Scheduled
Operator’s).
vi. Letter of Type Acceptance/Validation issued by DGCA with Revision/Issue
of Type Certificate Data Sheet as applicable for intended aircraft to be
imported.
vii. Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness and Airworthiness
Review Certificate of aircraft in case of local acquisition of an Indian
registered aircraft.
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viii. A letter of intent (LOI)/communication from the owner/lessor regarding the
proposed sale/lease of the aircraft to the applicant.
ix. Any other document to substantiate the information provided.
2.2. Issuance of Permission for Import/Local Acquisition of aircraft.
2.2.1. The aircraft to be imported should be meeting the criteria with regard to its Type
Certificate, age and other relevant mandatory requirements as laid down in the
applicable/relevant CARs.
Note: For any financial arrangements towards purchase/lease of any aircraft and
for remittance of any foreign exchange for import/Local acquisition of aircraft, the
applicable regulations/guidelines issued from time to time by Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) and/or any other institution/agency/department etc. in this regard shall
be followed by the applicant.
2.2.2. In accordance with National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 “All aircraft being registered
in India from 1st Jan 2019 will mandatorily have to be GAGAN enabled.” The
Government has subsequently deferred the above date to 01.07.2021.
Accordingly, the aircraft being imported for registration on or after 01.07.2021 shall
be suitably equipped with GAGAN equipment.
2.2.3. For import/local acquisition of aircraft the applicant and the seller/lessor of the
aircraft shall be responsible for:
a) Ensuring compliance with regulations/guidelines from Customs Authorities as
may be applicable for such transaction.
b) Any third party charge and/or liability, if applicable over such aircraft.
2.2.4. The aircraft proposed to be imported shall comply with the requirements specified
in CAR Section 2, Series ‘F’, Part XX.
2.2.5. For import of aircraft for Scheduled/Non-scheduled Air Transport Services, DAT
will issue In-Principle approval on compliance of requirements under this circular
and relevant CAR. Subsequently, NOC (No Objection Certificate) for import will be
issued by DAT on the basis of certification requirements for inducting intended
aircraft to be imported on the Air Operator Certificate/Permit. The applicant would
be required to provide the following details at the time of seeking NOC for actual
import.
i. Copy of In-Principle approval.
ii. Details of aircraft and enclosures as mentioned in Annexure-A
iii. Details of augmentation of Pilots, Cabin crew and Aircraft Maintenance
Engineers for the intended aircraft to be imported.
iv. Any other information that may be sought by DGCA.
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2.2.6. For Import/Local Acquisition of aircraft for private use including microlight aircraft,
powered hang gliders and hot air balloon for private use, hobby flying, Joy rides
etc. the applicant shall apply for security clearance online through “e-sahaj” portal.
On receipt of security clearance from MHA, DAT shall issue In-Principle approval
in case of Import and Permission for Local Acquisition of aircraft which shall also
be communicated to DGFT for grant of import license.
2.2.7. For Import/Local Acquisition of aircraft by FTO, DAT shall issue the In-Principle
approval for Import/Permission for Local Acquisition of aircraft which shall also be
communicated to DFT (Directorate of Flying & Training). Subsequently, NOC for
import shall also be issued by DAT. The applicant would be required to provide
aircraft details as per Part-II of Annexure ‘A’ of this circular for issuance of NOC
along with a copy of In-Principle approval. Such proposals for import/acquisition of
aircraft for flying training purpose shall be examined in consultation with DFT.
2.2.8. For Import/Local Acquisition of aircraft for the purpose of aerial work operations,
DAT shall issue the In-Principle approval for Import/Permission for Local
Acquisition of aircraft only after the receipt of security clearance as part of approval
process for grant of aerial work authorisation under Rule 134B of the Aircraft Rules
1937.
2.3. Fee:
Fee to be paid as follows in a manner as prescribed by Director General.
Category
Commercial/Private/Aerial Work FTO/Microlight
(Based on weight of the aircraft) Aircraft/Powered Hang
Gliders/Hot Air Balloon
All-up weight less Rs. 1,00,000/- Rs. 20,000/-
Fees than or equal to (One Lakh Only) (Twenty Thousand only)
10,000 kg per aircraft
All-up weight more Rs. 2,00,000/-
than to 10,000 kg (Two Lakh Only)
Note:
i. In case of Scheduled Operators seeking In-Principle approval for ‘aircraft in
bulk’, the requisite fee can be paid at the time of request for NOC for aircraft.
Aircraft in bulk here refers to purchase of brand new aircraft to be inducted
over a period of time.
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ii. In case of import of single aircraft, the applicable fee shall be paid at the
time of issuance of In-Principle approval. Based on the In-Principle approval
operator should apply for issuance of NOC for actual import of aircraft.
2.4. Validity of Permission for Import/Local Acquisition of aircraft.
The validity of the permission for Import/Local Acquisition of each aircraft shall be
one year which may be extended up to a period of 1 year on genuine grounds.
However, in any case, such permission will not be extended beyond the validity of
the initial NOC issued by MOCA, in case of fresh applicants. In case of Scheduled
/Scheduled Commuter Operators the validity of In-Principle Approval for import of
‘aircraft in bulk’ shall be as per the induction plan of the operator.
3. Aircraft Leasing from IFSC, GIFT-City, Gujarat.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this circular, the leasing companies/entities
registered with International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located in GIFT-
City, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat, and approved by International Financial Services
Centres Authority (IFSCA) for undertaking leasing of aircraft, shall not require any
approval/NOC from DGCA for import of aircraft or for acquisition of an Indian
registered aircraft for the purpose of leasing. However, such leasing
companies/entities shall be required to comply the applicable
regulations/guidelines prescribed by IFSCA, DGFT, Customs or any other relevant
authorities for the purpose.
Provided that, if any entity/operator intends to procure any aircraft on lease from
IFSC (located in GIFT City, Gandhi Nagar,Gujarat) based leasing company for its
operation in India, then such entity/operator shall obtain approval/NOC from
DGCA as per the provisions of this circular.
(Arun Kumar)
Director General of Civil Aviation
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Annexure-A
APPLICATION FOR IMPORT/LOCAL ACQUISITION OF AIRCRAFT
PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Name and Address of the Applicant/Operator :
2. Category (Scheduled/Scheduled Commuter
/Non-schedule/Private/FTO/Aerial Work/
State Govt./PSU) :
3. Existing fleet strength :
S. No. Aircraft Type Registration Owned/Leased
4. Details of aircraft proposed to be Imported/Acquired
MSN Type & TCDS No. and Nationality Registration AUW Year of
No. Make Issue/Revision Manufacture
date
(Specific details of the aircraft to be furnished as per format given in Part-II of this Annexure)
5. Whether the aircraft has complied with all
Airworthiness Directives mandated by the
Authority issuing the Type Certificate : Y/N (If ‘No’ give details)
6. Paid Up Capital
(Only for scheduled/Non-Scheduled Operator)
(Enclose documentary evidence) :
7. Mode of Import/Local Acquisition :
(Outright Purchase or Dry Lease)
Outright Purchase Dry Lease
Name & Address of Name &Address of Name & Address of Name & Address of
the owner (name of the owner of aircraft the Lessor the Lessee
manufacturer in
case of new
aircraft)
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Annexure-A
8. Usual Station/Night Parking allotted
(Enclose documentary evidence) :
9. Arrangement/level of readiness for
Continuing Airworthiness (CAMO) and
Maintenance of aircraft
(Enclose documentary evidence) :
10. Level of readiness of security arrangements/
Security program :
11. Application for security clearance through
e-sahaj portal.
(In case of aircraft for private use) :
12. Details of Fee Paid :
(Enclose documentary evidence)
Bharat Kosh/NTRP Date Amount
Receipt No.
UNDERTAKING
i. The aircraft shall be used only for the purpose for which it is being permitted to
import/acquired and also shall meet the airworthiness/type acceptance criteria for
import as per relevant CARs.
ii. It is confirmed that the aircraft after registration in India shall be maintained,
operated and de-registered (if required) in accordance with the Indian rules,
regulations, procedures and any condition specified by DGCA India and there is
no binding or limitation of any kind in this regard in the lease agreement for the
Local acquisition of the aircraft.
iii. It is confirmed that the applicant shall comply with the provision of relevant CAR
regarding adequate number of flight crew/cabin crew and maintenance personnel.
iv. Certified that the information given above is correct.
(Signature of the Applicant/Authorised Signatory)
Name:
Designation:
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Annexure-A
PART II: AIRCRAFT DETAILS
a) Type and Make of the aircraft:
b) Nationality and Registration of the aircraft :
c) Year of manufacture of aircraft :
d) Name of manufacturer of the aircraft :
e) Serial number of the aircraft:
f) No. of passenger seats/Weight of cargo permissible as per type certificate of the
aircraft:
g) Maximum Certified take-off mass:
h) Engine Type mounted on aircraft:
i) Number of hours flown since new:
j) Number of landing since new:
k) Number of pressurisation cycle since new:
l) Last major check done and number of hours since flown:
m) Next major check due:
n) Name of the company from which the aircraft/helicopter is being taken on lease:
o) Previous history of aircraft with details of any incident/accident involving
structural damage:
p) Name of the Authority and Country which issued the last Certificate of
Airworthiness:
Certified that the information given above is correct.
(Signature of the Applicant/Authorised Signatory)
Name:
Designation:
