Indian govt asks ICAO to finalise blueprint of autonomous Civil Aviation Authority

Air travellers may have to pay a departure levy of Rs 12 per head to fly within and from India under an effective aviation regulatory agency that would replace the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in future. According to a report in Economic Times, the Indian government had asked the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to finalise the blueprint of an autonomous Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that is capable of maintaining a hawk’s eye for air safety in India.

ICAO recently presented its study for an empowered, autonomous and adequately funded Indian CAA to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). For financial autonomy, the global body has recommended a ‘departure levy’ of Rs 12 on all passengers. This fee has been suggested along with a 20 per cent hike in current licensing, certification and other fees to meet the revenue requirements of the ‘not-for-profit’ Indian CAA that would be under the ‘supervision’ of MoCA.