• 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit, at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on 25th July 2023 – Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit is being held at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on 25th July 2023. BAOA members have been invited to participate in this Summit. Members, interested in participating, register immediately as per the link already shared, (https://meet.ficci.in/invitee-form.asp?evid=26789). There will be a round table conference to discuss optimal utilisation of helicopters and small aircraft in the country. Members are requested to share any suggestions in this regard with MD, BAOA by 24th July through email info@baoa.in
• Comments on AERA’s Consultation Paper No. 03/2023-24 – GH services for Global Flight Handling Services (Patna) Pvt. Ltd. (GFHSPPL) at Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport, Patna for the First Control Period (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28) – Please see the attached comments sent to AERA on GH charges at Patna. We continue to focus on itemised and rationalised charges for all services as listed in GH policy (Annex A). Further inputs from members are solicited based on their experience at various public airports.
• Meeting on the proposed projects at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati dt. 06 July 2023 – Adani group held the Consultation Committee meeting for the proposed project at Guwahati on 06 July 2023. BAOA participated in the meeting and emphasised the need to specifically take care of the infrastructural requirement at the airport for small aircraft of GA/BA. Please see the attached minutes of the meeting from Adani Group.
• Stakeholder Consultation Meeting (virtual mode) on 19.07.2023 in respect of CP no. 04/2023-24 of Srinagar International Airport – AERA held the meeting on CP 04/2023-24 to decide aeronautical charges and development of Srinagar civil enclave. MD BAOA participated in the meeting. Please see the attached comments sent on the need to plan a greenfield airport at Srinagar to meet the future needs.

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 21 July 2023

• Letter to Under Secretary on Review of conditional exemption for concessional BCD rates for imports dt. 16 June 2023 – Please refer the attached letter written to MoCA in response to the comments sought by the ministry for continuing with the conditional exemption on Basic Custom Duty (BCD) for aircraft. Ministry of Finance is undertaking the exercise to review the ongoing exemptions on BCD valid till March 2024. In our letter, BAOA has requested for NSOP operations to be included in the existing standalone provisions of Zero BCD category of scheduled airlines operations and removed from the separate non-scheduled operators category. The standalone provisions for exemption are being granted to Indian Airlines and others like Indian Air Force. Our efforts to get ‘NSOP’ in the same category, as ‘scheduled airlines’, are based on the logic that both are in the common category of ‘commercial air transport operations’. Members are requested to make further efforts in this on-going mission of BAOA through their respective corporate heads.
• Minutes of Meeting (MoM) under the chairmanship of Secretary (CA) on 3rd May 2023 – We have now received MoM for the meeting of HSAAC chaired by Secretary CA on 3rd May 2023. Please see the attached minutes. SoPs for non-standard parking at busy public airports are being finalised on priority. This would help NSOP/GA aircraft to get more parking slots at metro airports in the country. Regarding ‘Fractional Ownership’ for NSOP, MoCA is aiming for more consultations among all the stakeholders before issuing the final directive. We are hoping for the final directive to be issued by September/October 2023.
• Comments on AERA’s Consultation Paper No. 02/2023-24 – GH charges for CASIPL at Manohar International Airport, MOPA, Goa – Please see the attached comments sent to AERA on GH charges (CP 02/2023-24) at MOPA, Goa. We have asked for rationalisation of itemised GH charges, for semi-skilled unlicenced jobs like marshalling, toilet cleaning etc, and align these with the prevailing labour rates of the states. Members are requested to demand approved GH rates at all public airports before operating and share their experiences in this regard with MD BAOA. These GH rates are approved either by AERA (at major airports) or by AAI (at non-major airports). Please appreciate that we have to make consistent and combined efforts in this direction to have fair and rationalised GH charges at all the public airports in the country.
• Roundtable on Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) during third Infrastructure Working Group meeting at Rishikesh- G20 reg. dt. 27th June 2023 – BAOA had been asked to participate in the roundtable conference of G-20 Infrastructure Working Group being held at Rishikesh on 27th June 2023. BAOA members, especially those involved in MRO business, are requested to send their suggestions on the issues to be taken up during this conference. Please refer the attached letter received by MD BAOA in this regard.
• Draft Aircraft Bill, 2023 for public consultation – MoCA is in the process of revising the existing Aircraft Rules and the draft ‘Aircraft Bill 2023’ has been put up to public consultation. There are important changes being proposed in this Bill. Please see the attached documents and send inputs/comments at info@baoa.in by 25th June 2023. The last date for submitting comments is 29th June 2023.
• IBAC Updates – Please see the link for updates on IBAC Attached please find updates received from IBAC With consistent efforts of IBAC, Business/General Aviation (BA/GA) is getting its rightful recognition at ICAO HQ. BA/GA experts are now actively participating in ICAO’s first AAM Study Group formed for the purpose of deciding steps to integrate AAM safely and efficiently into the future global aviation ecosystem, especially for fast-developing drone operations. Please visit the links provided in the updates to further participate in the ongoing discussions on the subject. Members are also requested to visit IBAC store’ online’ to get access to material promoting IBAC.

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 17 June 2023

• Advisory Group of Small Airlines and Helicopter Operators meeting under the chairmanship of Secretary (CA) – Meeting of HSAAC was held on 3rd May 2023. This meeting, chaired by Secretary CA, was attended by President BAOA. Fractional Ownership of NSOP aircraft was discussed and is being progressed by MOCA for issuing the final CAR by DGCA. AAI is also working on updating, online, the itemised GH charges for smaller aircraft of NSOP/GA. Finalised MOM, when received from MOCA, will be shared with the members.
• Letter to DG, DGCA on Revision of Aeronautical Tariff for Airport Services – AIC Sl. No. 06/2023 dt. 08 May 2023 – We have written the attached letter to DG DGCA requesting for inclusion of itemised GH charges as part of the tariff for all aeronautical services being offered at non-major public airports in the country. GH services have been included as aeronautical services at airports in the AERA Act and we are aiming for these to be part of AIC issued by DGCA every FY. This matter will be progressed, if required, with MOCA too.
• RTR examination for pilots being shifted to DGCA – Please refer to the attached letter written by BAOA to HMCA in November 2021 requesting for delegation of RTR license authority from Min of Communication to DGCA. After receiving the letter, HMCA had taken up this issue with Minister of Communication, who issued instructions for this change in February 2022. DGCA will take over this job soon. Further, Federation of Indian Pilots have demanded for this examination to be conducted by senior qualified pilots (FOIs) of DGCA. Please also see the attached letters in this regard.
• Letter to JDG, DGCA on Suggestions for modification/changes in relevant CARs dt. 10 May 2023 – Feedback points on meeting held in DGCA HQ on 11 April 2023, chaired by DG, DGCA. Please find the attached letter written to DGCA after the meeting was held earlier in DGCA on the issue of rationalisation of training/licensing requirements for smaller aircraft of NSOP. The matter is under review by DGCA and is likely to be discussed again during the next meeting with HMCA.
• Comment on AERA Consultation Paper No. 02/2023-24 dated 03.05.2023 in the matter of determination of Tariff for Ground Handling Services in respect of M/s Celebi Airport Services India Private Limited (CASIPL) at Manohar International Airport, Mopa Goa for the First Control Period (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28) – AERA has issued CP for determining GH charges at MOPA (Goa) airport. Members are requested to send their comments by 25th May 2023. Please see the attached link to open CP 02/2023-24
• Addendum to AVSEC Order No. 05/2009 – Security Manpower deployment for small aircraft operators and helicopter operations dt. 15 May 2023 – The issue of rationalisation of security manpower for operations of smaller aircraft and helicopters was discussed during the meeting with HMCA on 31st March 2023. Thereafter, meetings were held with DG BCAS and final AVSEC Order has been issued in this regard. BAOA will continue to work for further rationalisation of security-related requirements by approaching MHA too. BCAS now offers more vacancies in AVSEC courses for NSOP/GA operators. Members, still facing problems, on getting vacancies for AVSEC courses, are requested to send email to MD BAOA.
• IBAC Updates – Please see the link for updates on IBAC Attached please find updates received from IBAC. It is important to note that ICAO is in the process of revising Annex 19 (SMS). Members are requested to send their suggestions, for change/modification in existing Annex 19 on SMS, by 31st May 2023. BAOA will work with IBAC, which has observer status at ICAO, for bringing progressive changes for GA/BA industry in Annex 19.

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 18 May 2023

• Meeting under the chairmanship of HMCA on Issues related to Helicopter and Small Airlines Accelerated Cell (HSAAC) dt. 31 March 2023 – MD BAOA attended the ‘advisory group’ meeting on small aircraft and helicopters, chaired by HMCA, on 31st March in MoCA. Please see the attached minutes of the meeting issued by the ministry. HMCA has agreed, once again, to take up the issue of rationalisation of import duty on NSOP, as being differentially applied presently, and bring it at par with scheduled operators on the common ‘commercial operations category’. BAOA has already shared the proposed draft letter, in this regard, to be sent to MoF. Members are requested to keep bringing up this issue, of common custom duty and GST for all commercial operations, at all possible platforms to help build the right public opinion for the MoF to finally take the call on treating scheduled/NSOP, alike, in the common commercial category.
• Waiver of prior parking approval for NSOP/ GA (Fixed Wing) aircraft for import – This matter was brought up, again, as a follow-up of earlier minutes, and MoCA clarified that ‘prior parking approval for fixed wing ac in NSOP category’ is no more a requirement before import of the aircraft. This has been a major issue for many years for NSOP operators and is now, finally addressed. Please see the attached ‘directive’ in this regard for easy reference.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for ‘non-standard parking’ at busy metro airports – DG DGCA confirmed during the meeting in MoCA on 31st March that SOPs for non-standard parking of NSOP/GA aircraft have been approved by the safety regulator for the busy metro airports in the country. These SOPs are part of the approved Airport Manual for these airports. However, it is not considered prudent to post these SOPs on the websites of these airports. Therefore, NSOP/GA operators facing parking issues at any busy airport may seek permission for being allowed to park per the non-standard parking, as approved by DGCA and, given in the ‘airport manual’ of the airport.
• Publishing itemised GH charges on AAI website for NSOP/GA aircraft – During the meeting with HMCA on 31st March 2023, it was requested that, for effective implementation of MoCA’s directive, issued in September 2022, on giving option of itemised rather than comprehensive GH charges for small aircraft, the approved item-wise GH charges be published on the website of AAI for all public airports. Please see the minutes of the attached meeting, wherein such instructions have been given to AAI. This is, still, a matter under continuous review of BAOA’s governing board. We shall continue to work for GH charges to be item-wise, and reasonable too, for small aircraft of NSOP/GA. Members are requested to keep sharing their actual experiences in this regard at various public airports.
• Meeting under the chairmanship of Director General on issues relating to the Advisory Group of Small Airlines and Helicopter dt. 11 April 2023 – DG DGCA chaired the meeting of small aircraft operators on 11th April in DGCA HQ. This was follow-up of the meeting with HMCA on 31st March. DGCA requires compiled information in the attached format by the first week of May 2023 on the need to modify/amend/change rules/CARs to facilitate more efficient operations of small aircraft without compromising with safety requirements in any way. Please see the attached format for submitting the information, column-wise to DGCA. Members are requested to send their inputs at info@baoa.in by 30the April 2023, positively. Compiled information will be presented to DGCA during May 2023. (Format – ( Issues Defined | How it affects NSOP/GA | Global best practices (FAA/EASA) | Recommendations / Concerned department | Remark )
• BCAS Committee on policy issues affecting small aircraft and helicopters.- During the consecutive meetings held in BCAS HQ on 13th and 18th April 2023, we have asked for more training slots for NSOP/GA for the AVSEC, initial and recurrent, capsule courses. We have also shared the updated data on NSOP with BCAS. Due to current security scenario in India’s neighbourhood, MoCA and BCAS are not willing to consider any dilution in the current security requirements dictated by MHA.
• Letter to JS, MoCA on violation of cabotage rule by foreign registered aircraft operating in India dt. 13 April 2023 – Please see the attached letter written to JS (DT) MoCA requesting for strict enforcement of ‘cabotage rule’ on operations of foreign-registered aircraft in India. We have separately approached DGCA to ensure compliance of the CAR applied on foreign-registered aircraft visiting India. Members are requested to remain vigilant in this regard and report any further such violations.
• IBAC Updates- Please see the attached updates received from IBAC. It is important for our members to maximise benefits of the safety programs conducted by IBAC as members of BAOA get concessional rates for these IS-BAO and IS-BAH flagship courses. Members are requested to encourage their aircrew to acquire the new crew card just launched by IBAC and available at discounted price for BAOA’s members. Please see the below links for easy access.

–IBAC Launches New Crew Card – Adds ID90 Travel Perks – April 10, 2023
–How do I get the Crew Card?

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 20 April 2023

• Suggestions to MoCA on RCS UDAN Round 5 – MOCA has started preparing for UDAN 5 version of RCS as per NCAP 2016. Ministry had sought suggestions from BAOA regarding thrust areas for UDAN 5. As per inputs received, we have sent the attached letter to MOCA to have much greater use of helicopters for reaching out to the remote and inaccessible areas of the country. Members are requested to examine the suggestions made to MOCA and send further inputs for reference during ‘follow up’ meetings and discussions on UDAN 5 with MOCA.
• Consultation Meeting (virtual mode) on 07.03.2023 i.r.o. CP no. 16/2022-23 of Lucknow International Airport – MD, BAOA participated in the stakeholder’s consultation meeting on aeronautical charges at Lucknow International Airport. During the meeting, BAOA emphasised on removing all forms of royalties on aeronautical charges at public airports. We shall be sending written comments by 25th March 2023. Members may like to go through CP no. 16/2022-23, available on AERA’s website, and send further specific comments, if any.
• BizAvIndia Conference 17 March 2023 – BAOA successfully conducted BizAvIndia Conference 2023 at Delhi on 17th March 2023. The Conference was held in Delhi for the first time, discontinuing the practice of holding it in Bengaluru, alongside AERO India. We had good participation from the industry and regulatory authorities during the three sessions, as follows:
  • Session 1: Vision of GA/BA growth in India till 2030: This session had deep dive discussions on prospects of GA/BA industry. Ex Additional Secretary & Senior Economic Advisor, MOCA, Ms Vandana Aggarwal spoke about the recent initiatives being taken for funding of the industry through GIFT city at Ahmedabad. Other participants were, Chief Commercial Officer DIAL, Head of Airbus Helicopters (India & South Asia), Dy CFOI DGCA and, MD BAOA, as moderator. Please see the attached pic
  • Session 2: Emerging trends in GA/BA: This session was moderated by Mr Rohit Kapur, President Jet HQ Dubai. The new ‘fractional ownership’ concept, being adopted in India, and currently under finalisation by DGCA, was explained in details by Capt Shanker Manrai, Technical Advisor, HASSC, MOCA.
  • Session 3: Planning growth of Helicopter and Turboprops operations:This session had participation of operators from helicopter industry and fixed wing turbo props. Dy CFOI Helicopters of DGCA spoke about the regulatory changes, under consideration, to optimise use of helicopters in HEMS and other relief/important missions

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 20 March 2023

• VC meeting under the chairmanship of Joint Secretary, MoCA on Issues related to Helicopter and Small Airlines Accelerated Cell (HSAAC) dt. 17 Feb 2023 – The new Joint Secretary, Mr Asanga Chuba Ao, chaired meeting of HASSC on 17th February with stakeholders of the industry. Issues like defence pilots license relevant to helicopter flying in civil and easy conversion to CHPL; Defence AME licensing; Heli tourism etc were discussed during this meeting. The finalised minutes of this meeting, when received from MoCA, would be shared with the members.
• Meeting under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Civil Aviation to discuss Fractional Ownership Model Guidelines – Secretary CA held meeting on the proposed ‘fractional ownership model’ for NSOP on 10th February in Rajeev Gandhi Bhavan. It is expected that necessary final CAR in this regard is going to be drafted soon by DGCA to kick-start this model formally in India. Various aspects of this model, from perspective of MoF and MCA have already been taken care by MoCA.
• Letter to JS, MoCA on Security Clearance for new/change in Directors of Private Aircraft Operators (Public Listed Companies), already having security cleared directors at the time of initial import – After due consultations with the affected GA operators, the attached letter has been sent by BAOA to MoCA to rationalise the requirements of ‘security clearance’ while making any change in the existing director or appointing new director in a GA company operated by corporates. This letter will be followed up during the next meeting of HASSC.
• IBAC POC meeting in Austin, TX, 16-17 February – MD BAOA participated in the meeting of Policy & Operations Committee (POC) of IBAC on 16/17th February in Austin US. The issue of five stage certification process on acquisition of new aircraft on GA aircraft, as applied on airlines, was discussed in detail during review of IBAC’s flagship ISBAO program. It has been proposed to include optimal certification process, as followed by FAA/EASA, for GA industry to be part of special additional package of ISBAO program. This will be progressed with IBAC. Members are advised to adopt ISBAO program, especially for efficient induction and operations of advanced and ultra long range business jets.

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 22 February 2023

• Input to FICCI on Taxation structure BA/GA industry – Members are aware of the query received from Ministry of Commerce, through MoCA, regarding measures to decrease import and increase exports – ‘an annual exercise undertaken by the government before the budget each year. In this regard, BAOA has sent the attached mail to FICCI for compiling industry’s inputs. Further, BAOA has sent a similar request to Ministry of Finance for rationalization the ‘Custom Duty’ and GST applicable to GA/BA industry for supporting the optimal growth of small aircraft industry in India.
• Comment on Draft Revision to CAR Section 7 Series J Part IV on FDTL – As intimated in the last month’s updates, BAOA has submitted comments on the draft CAR for reviewing FDTL. After receiving BAOA’s inputs, DGCA asked for meeting to discuss our comments. The follow up meeting with DGCA took place in CFOI office early this month. Thereafter, BAOA submitted the attached additional comments on the draft FDTL CAR. The final CAR is expected to be issued by the end of this months. More inputs from members are welcome.
• Comment on Draft Revision to CAR Section 8, Series S, Part I, Issue II – EDTO – Please see the attached comments submitted by BAOA on ‘Threshold Time’ applicable to NSOP operators in the EDTO CAR. Our approach has been to follow the best global practices and the ‘Threshold Limits’ prescribed in the Aircraft Manual by the OEMs. It would be advisable that, members doing regular international flying, should apply to DGCA for ‘Threshold Time’ approval, specific to their individual company’s international operations, after ensuring all the regulatory requirements are complied with in this regard.
• Letter to JS, DT MoCA on appointment of Directors for Private (GA) Operator – Please see the attached letter written to Joint Secretary MoCA regarding BCAS officials at some regional offices applying directive on appointment / change of ‘Company’s Directors’, meant only for commercial operations, to the non-commercial (GA) operators too. We propose to follow up this letter and discuss this issue during the next meeting of Helicopers & Small Aircraft Acceleration Cell (HSAAC), being planned for February 2023.
• Web Meeting on the proposed projects at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala dt. 23 January 2023 – Intimation has been received from Airport Director Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on the stakeholders meeting planned to be held on 23rd Jan 2023. The proposed development project at the airport will be discussed during this web meeting. Web link for the e-meeting will be shared with the members immediately after we receive it from the Airport Director. Members, especially the ones, using the airport regularly, are requested to join the web meeting and send pripor intimation regarding their participation at info@baoa.in

For all attachments, as mentioned above, please refer to mail sent on updates by MD, BAOA dt. 20 January 2023