Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020 Receives Presidential Assent [Read Notification]

Aircraft (Amendment) Act , 2020 has received the assent of the President of India and has come into force.

The Bill, to bring the Aircraft Act, 1934 in line with the internationally accepted standards, procedures and practices as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO, was passed by Parliament last week.

The amendment converts following three existing bodies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation into statutory bodies: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Each of these bodies will be headed by a Director General, as appointed by the central government.

Earlier, the Act prescribed a penalty of imprisonment of up to two years or of fine up to Rs 10 lakh, or both, for offences such as: (i) carrying arms, explosives, or other dangerous goods aboard aircraft, (ii) contravening any rules notified under the Act, and (iii) constructing building or structures within the specified radius around an aerodrome reference point. Now the amendment raises Rs. 10 lakh fine limit  to Rs. 1 crore.

The amendment  also provides for control of the manufacture, possession, use, operation, sale, import and export of aircraft; and regulation of all areas of air navigation services.

As per the Amendment, cognizance of any offence punishable under this Act, can be taken only on a complaint made by or with the previous sanction in writing by the Director General of Civil Aviation or Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security or Director General of Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau, as the case may be.

Click here to Read/Download Notification