Air Operator Certification Manual: DG of Civil Aviation India (2017)

India is a contracting State to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). DGCA India has an obligation to promote safe, orderly and efficient operation of Civil Aviation activities. To meet State obligations, DGCA has laid down National Regulations to ensure compliance with various Standard and Recommended Practices laid down by ICAO in Annexes to the convention. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is a regulatory body dealing with safety issues. DGCA is also responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of Civil Air Regulations, Airworthiness, Operations and Air safety.

advtanmoy 07/01/2024 4 minutes read

2017

Approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation-2017

In accordance with the provisions of Rule 134 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 no persons shall operate any scheduled air transport service from, to, in, or across India except with the permission of the Central Government. In order to promote/ enhance Regional Connectivity, the concept of Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Services has been introduced under the National Civil Aviation Policy – 2016. Further, Rule 134A of the Aircraft Rules, stipulates that no air transport service, other than a scheduled air transport service, shall be operated by an Indian air transport undertaking unless it holds a Non-Scheduled Operator’s Permit granted by the Central Government. The authority to grant the permission has been delegated by the Government to DGCA. Accordingly, Air Operator Certificates/ Permits for operating the following types of air transport services are presently issued by DGCA to applicants who meet the laid down requirements for the specific type of air transport service:

Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Service (Passenger)
Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Service (Cargo)
Non- Scheduled Air Transport Service (Passenger)
Non- Scheduled Air Transport Service (Cargo)

Operators undertaking Scheduled Commuter Services would be issued a Scheduled Air Operator Certificate (Scheduled Commuter) while non-scheduled operators would be issued Non- Scheduled Air Operators Permit (Passenger) or Non- Scheduled Air Operators Permit (Cargo) as applicable. Such certificates are required to be granted by ICAO member States in accordance with the provisions of Annex 6 Part Part III.

Certificates/ Permits are granted subject to the applicant showing satisfactory capability to undertake the type of operations to the regulator. Hence certification of an air operator is a very vital role in the regulatory system. In order to assess the competence of an Operator, the DGCA has to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the proposed operation, which should at least cover organization, staffing, equipment & facilities, proposed routes, level and type of service and finances.

The issue of an Air Operator Certificate/Permit would be dependent upon the applicant demonstrating an adequate organization, method of control and supervision of flight operations, training programmes as well as ground handling and maintenance arrangements consistent with the nature and extent of the operation specified.

The certification team of Inspectors of DGCA is responsible for conducting the required evaluations to ensure the applicant’s capability of meeting the actual and potential obligations in establishing and continuing to maintain safe operation of air services, prior to issuance of the AOC/AOP. Hence, all Inspectors involved in the certification process of the issuance of an AOC/AOP, shall be guided by the requirements stipulated in this manual.

On compliance of the requirements by the applicant and after evaluation by DGCA, the applicant would be issued a certificate/ permit, setting forth the operational authorisation and limitations to carry out the specified commercial air transport operations.

After the issuance of an Air Operator Permit/Certificate, DGCA would continue to monitor the operations by a systematic procedure of surveillance and inspections.

CAP 3300 – Air Operator Certification Manual – Aircrafts provides guidance to an applicant seeking such a Certificate for Aircraft operations. The purpose of this manual is to explain the administrative procedure involved, for the issue and renewal of an Air Operator Permit/Certificate and to indicate the requirements to be met by an applicant for such a Permit/Certificate. Every application is considered on its merits.

Furthermore, this guidance is for DGCA Inspectors to certify operators for an issue of an AOC/AOP. It is expected that the applicant of an Air Operator Certificate/Permit will be benefited by this manual as it explains the administrative procedures involved so that the process would be independent and transparent. The list of guidance material issued by DGCA as indicated in the manual needs to be referred to, in conjunction with this manual.

(B. S. Bhullar)
Director General of Civil Aviation

2nd Edition Rev.01, 4
th June 2018
(Approved vide F.No. AV-22024/07/2017-FSD)