**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4696, addressed on August 21, 2025, regarding the availability of airworthy planes in India. The question raised concerns about a potential shortage of airworthy aircraft relative to the country's needs, and the adequacy of manufacturing and repair infrastructure.
In response, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, stated that scheduled operators currently operate 846 aircraft. The Ministry clarified that airlines continuously add aircraft to their fleets. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for maintaining Indian-registered aircraft. These CAR guidelines mandate DGCA approval for Aircraft Maintenance Programs, which operators prepare based on Manufacturer's Maintenance Planning Documents (MPD), Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Engine Maintenance Manual (EMM), and other relevant documentation. Operators can perform aircraft maintenance themselves or contract with DGCA-approved maintenance organizations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Malvinder Singh Kang: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory body for civil aviation in India.
Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR): Comprehensive regulations framed by the DGCA on maintenance of Indian registered aircraft.
Aircraft Maintenance Program: A program prepared by the operator and approved by DGCA based on Manufacturer's Maintenance Planning Documents (MPD), Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Engine Maintenance Manual (EMM) and other relevant documents.
Manufacturer's Maintenance Planning Documents (MPD): Documents used for preparing aircraft maintenance program
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4696
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
LACK OF AIRWORTHY PLANES
4696. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether it is a fact that the number of airworthy planes in the country is less than their
requirement and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether it is also a fact that there are inadequate arrangements for manufacturing and
repair of such planes and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (b): Currently, 846 aircraft are being operated by scheduled operators in the country.
The induction of aircraft into airline companies is a continuous process. Airline operators
induct new aircraft to their existing fleet from time to time. ;
;
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has framed comprehensive Civil Aviation
Requirements (CAR) on maintenance of Indian registered aircraft. DGCA approves Aircraft
Maintenance Program prepared by the operator based on the Manufacturer's Maintenance
Planning Documents (MPD), Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Engine Maintenance
Manual (EMM) and other relevant documents. The operator may have its own or contract to
other DGCA approved maintenance organisation for carrying out maintenance of aircraft.
******