Executive Summary:
This document outlines the regulatory framework in India for issuing licenses to scheduled airline operators, as of July 24, 2025. It details the eligibility criteria, procedures, required documents for obtaining a Scheduled Operator's Licence (SOL), and provides a list of airlines granted operating permits since 1980, including their operational status and history. The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is granted by the DGCA under Aircraft Rules, 1937.
Key Points / Main Content:
Regulatory Framework for Scheduled Airline Operators:
* The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Scheduled Air Transport Service is granted by the DGCA.
* The grant is provisioned under Rule 134 and Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
* Eligibility requires applicants to be either an Indian citizen or a company meeting specific criteria. These include: registration and principal business location within India; a minimum of two-thirds of directors being Indian citizens; and substantial ownership/effective control vested in Indian nationals.
No Objection Certificate (NOC):
* Applicants must obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Central Government, granted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
* The Ministry assesses financial soundness, operational plans, security clearances of the applicant and directors, and other policy-relevant factors.
* The NOC is valid for three years, during which the AOC must be obtained from the DGCA.
Air Operator Certificate (AOC) Granting and Renewal:
* DGCA grants the AOC after ensuring compliance with the Air Operator Certification Manual requirements, following a structured 5-phase process.
* The AOC is valid for five years and can be renewed for subsequent five-year periods upon continued compliance.
Required Documents for Scheduled Operators Licence:
* Initial NOC issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
* Formal application (Appendix A, B, C of CAP3100/CAP3300/CAP3400 as applicable) with requisite fees.
* Nomination of post holders (Accountable Manager, Director Flight Operation, Director Training, Chief Pilots, Continuing Airworthiness Manager CAM, Quality Manager, Manager InFlight, Chief Security Officer CSO, Chief of Flight Safety SMS Manager, Safety Manager).
* List of manuals: Operations Manual, Aircraft Flight Manual, FDTL Scheme, Normal Emergency Procedure Checklist, Safety Emergence Procedure SEP Manual, Cabin Crew Training Manual, Quick Reference Handbook, Passenger Briefing Card, Dangerous Goods Manual (If Applicable), Flight Dispatch Manual, Ground Handling Manual, Load and Trim Sheet, Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition CAME, Minimum Equipment List MELConfiguration Deviation List CDL, Aircraft Maintenance Program AMP, Technical Log Book, Weight Schedule L T Sheet, Flight Safety Documentation System Manual, Flight Safety Manual, Safety Management System Manual.
Airline Operations Since 1980:
* Lists airlines granted scheduled operating permits since 1980, their commencement year, and current status (operational or closed).
* Includes details of mergers, acquisitions, and name changes.
Deccan Aviation and Kingfisher Airlines:
* Deccan Aviation and Kingfisher Airlines were granted permits in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
* Kingfisher Airlines' permit was suspended on October 20, 2012, due to non-adherence to flight schedules and abrupt cancellations, and failure to reestablish safe service.
Impact Analysis:
Applicants for Scheduled Airline Operator Licences:
Impact: Must meet eligibility criteria related to citizenship, company registration, director composition, and ownership control. They must also provide substantial documentation as part of the application.
Action Required: Gather all necessary documents, ensure compliance with financial and operational requirements, and follow the DGCA's 5-phase process for obtaining the AOC.
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
Impact: Responsible for granting the No Objection Certificate (NOC) based on financial soundness, operational plans, security clearances, and policy considerations.
Action Required: Evaluate applications for NOCs, considering all relevant factors, and issue NOCs with a three-year validity.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):
Impact: Responsible for granting and renewing the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and ensuring compliance with the Air Operator Certification Manual.
Action Required: Implement the 5-phase AOC granting process, verify compliance with regulatory requirements, and conduct renewal assessments every five years.
Existing Scheduled Airline Operators:
Impact: Subject to ongoing compliance checks to maintain AOC validity and must adhere to regulations regarding flight schedules and service reliability.
Action Required: Maintain compliance with all regulatory requirements, ensure safe and reliable air transport services, and prepare for AOC renewal every five years.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy: Member of Parliament in Lok Sabha, who raised the unstarred question about the regulatory framework for issuance of licenses to scheduled airline operators.
Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Scheduled Operators Licence: License required by airline operators to provide scheduled air transport services in India.
Air Operator Certificate: Certificate granted by the DGCA under the provision of Rule 134 and Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, required to operate scheduled air transport services.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation: The regulatory body in India responsible for granting Air Operator Certificates and ensuring compliance with aviation regulations.
Deccan Aviation: An airline company that was later acquired by Kingfisher Airlines, followed by merger of Kingfisher into Deccan Aviation in 2008, and the merged entity was renamed as Kingfisher Airlines.
Kingfisher Airlines: An airline company that merged with Deccan Aviation and later had its scheduled operator permit suspended due to non-adherence to flight schedules.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 803
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24th July 2025 )
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ISSUANCE OF LICENCES
803. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has formulated any formal
policy/regulatory framework for the issuance of licences to
scheduled airline operators in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the eligibility criteria,
procedures and the list of documents or papers required to apply for
a Scheduled Operator?s Licence (SOL);
(c) the number of airlines that have been granted scheduled
operating permits in the country since 1980 along with the name of
each airline, their ownership details and the year of commencement
of operations;
(d) the number of airlines currently operational and the number of
the airlines that have ceased operations along with the year of
closure in each case; and
(e) the year in which licences were granted to Deccan Airlines and
Kingfisher Airlines respectively along with the duration of their
operations and the reasons, if any, officially recorded for the
discontinuation of their services?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (b) : Details regarding the regulatory framework for the
issuance of licences to scheduled airline operators in the country is
at Annexure-I.;(c) to (d): The number of airlines granted scheduled operating
permits in the country since 1980, along with information on
currently operational airlines and those that have ceased
operations, is at Annexure-II.
(e) : Deccan Aviation and Kingfisher Airlines were granted
scheduled operator permits in the year 2003 and 2005 respectively.
Deccan Aviation Ltd was acquired by Kingfisher Airlines Ltd, and
subsequently in 2008, the company Kingfisher Airlines Ltd was
merged into Deccan Aviation Ltd, and the merged airline was
renamed as Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.
The scheduled operator permit in respect of Kingfisher Airlines Ltd
was suspended w.e.f. 20th October, 2012 for their non-adherence to
approved flight schedules and abrupt cancellation of flights in the
preceding 10 months and failing to re-establish a safe, efficient and
reliable air transport service.
******Annexure-I
Regulatory Framework for issuance of licences to Scheduled airline operators
1. The Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Scheduled Air Transport Service is granted by
DGCA under the provision of Rule 134 and Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. As
per the provisions of Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules 1937, AOC for under taking
Scheduled Air Transport Service can be granted to:
(i) to a citizen of India, or
(ii) to a company or a body corporate provided that—
(a) it is registered and has its principal place of business within India;
(b) the Chairman and at least two-thirds of its Directors are citizens of India; and
(c) its substantial ownership and effective control is vested in Indian nationals.
2. Further, any applicant desirous of obtaining AOC is required obtain a No Objection
Certificate for his proposed air transport services from the Central Government, which is
granted by Ministry of Civil Aviation after ensuring the laid down eligibility
requirements, as well as taking into account the factors such as the financial soundness
of the applicant, his operational plan, the clearance from security angle of the applicant
organisation including its Directors, and any other factor that may have a bearing on the
proposed air transport services from policy angle.
3. The no objection certificate granted by the Central Government remains valid for a
period of three years from the date of issue, during which the applicant is expected to
obtain the AOC from DGCA after complying the laid down requirements.
4. DGCA grants Air Operator Certificate after ensuring the compliance of relevant
regulatory requirements as per Air Operator Certification Manual, which follows a
structured 5 phase process for grant of AOC by DGCA so as to ensure that the applicant
has the required capability to provide safe, efficient and reliable service.
5. The AOC is valid for a period of 5 years and is renewed for a further period of 5 years
after ensuring that the operator is in continued compliance of the relevant regulatory
requirements as per procedure laid down in Air Operator Certification Manual.
6. List of documents or papers required to apply for a Scheduled Operator’s Licence
i. Initial NOC issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation
ii. Formal Application Appendix-A, B, C of CAP3100/CAP3300/CAP34000 as
applicable along with requisite fees.
iii. Nomination of post holders
Accountable Manager
Director Flight Operation
Director Training
Chief Pilot(s)
Continuing Airworthiness Manager (CAM)
Quality Manager
Manager In-Flight
Chief Security Officer (CSO) Chief of Flight Safety
SMS Manager / Safety Manager
iv. List of Manuals
Operations Manual
Aircraft Flight Manual
FDTL Scheme
Normal & Emergency Procedure Checklist
Safety & Emergence Procedure (SEP) Manual
Cabin Crew Training Manual
Quick Reference Handbook
Passenger Briefing Card
Dangerous Goods Manual (If Applicable)
Flight Dispatch Manual
Ground Handling Manual
Load and Trim Sheet
Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition (CAME)
Minimum Equipment List (MEL)/Configuration Deviation List (CDL)
Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP)
Technical Log Book
Weight Schedule/ L & T Sheet
Flight Safety Documentation System Manual
Flight Safety Manual
Safety Management System ManualAnnexure-II
Number of airlines that have been granted scheduled operating permits
in the country since 1980
Current Status
Year of
S. No. Name of the Airlines
Commencement
1. Air India Ltd. Prior to 1994, there were only 2 Scheduled
Indian Airlines Ltd. Airlines namely Air India and Indian Airlines
established under the provisions of the Air
Corporations Act, 1953, which was repealed
vide the Air Corporations (transfer of under
2.
takings and repeal) Act. 1994.
The two airlines were merged in 2007,
eventually creating a single airline Air India Ltd.
East West Travels & Trade Closed in the year 1996
3. 1994
Link Ltd.
4. Archana Airways Ltd. 1994 Closed in the year 2000
5. Skyline NEPC Ltd. 1994 Closed in the year 1997
6. Modiluft Ltd. 1994 Closed in the year 1996
7. NEPC Micon Ltd. 1994 Closed in the year 1997
8. Jet Airways (India) Ltd. 1995 Closed in the year 2019
Jet Lite (I) Ltd. Closed in the year 2019
9. (Formaly known as 1996
Sahara Airlines)
Alliance Air Aviation Ltd. Operational
10. (Formerly known as Airline 1997
Allied Services Ltd.
Lufthansa Cargo India Pvt. Closed in the year 2000
11. 1997
Ltd.
Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Acquired by Kingfisher
followed by merger of
Kingfisher into Deccan
12. 2003 Aviation in 2008, and the
merged entity was renamed
as Kingfisher Airlines.
Closed in the year 2012.
Blue Dart Aviation Ltd. Operational
13. 2003
(Cargo)
Air India Express Ltd. Operational
14. (Formerly known as 2005
Air India Charters Ltd.
Kingfisher Airlines Ltd. Merged into Deccan
15. 2005
Aviation in 2008.
16. Spice Jet Ltd. 2005 Operational
17. Paramount Airways 2005 Closed in the year 2010Current Status
Year of
S. No. Name of the Airlines
Commencement
18. Go Airlines (India) Pvt. Ltd. 2005 Closed in the year 2023
19. InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. 2006 Operational
20. Indus Airways Pvt. Ltd. 2006 Closed in the year 2007
21. MDLR Airlines Pvt. Ltd. 2008 Closed in the year 2009
22. Jagson Airlines Ltd. 2008 Closed in the year 2008
Deccan Cargo & Express Closed in the year 2014
23. 2009
Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
24. Aryan Cargo Express. 2010 Closed in the year 2011
Quickjet Cargo Airlines Pvt. Closed in the year 2017
25. 2012
Ltd.
Religare Aviation Ltd. Closed in the year 2017
26. 2012
(Regional)
LEPL Projects Ltd. (Air Closed in the year 2017
27. 2013
Costa)
Air Asia (India) Pvt. Ltd. Merged into Air India
28. (Name changed to 2014 Express Ltd. w.e.f.
AIX Connect Pvt. Ltd. ) 01.10.2024
Tata Sia Airlines Ltd. Merged into Air India Ltd.
29. 2014
(Vistara) w.e.f. 12.11.2024
30. Air Pegasus Pvt. Ltd. 2015 Closed in the year 2016
Turbo Megha Airways Pvt. Closed in the year 2022
31. 2015
Ltd. (Trujet)
32. Air Carnival Pvt. Ltd. 2016 Closed in the year 2017
LEPL Projects Ltd. (Air Closed in the year 2017
33. 2016
Costa)
Zexus Air Services Pvt. Ltd. Closed in the year 2024
34. 2017
(Zooom Air)
Deccan Charters Pvt. Ltd. Closed in the year 2020
35. 2017
(Air Deccan)
Air Odisha Aviation Pvt. Closed in the year 2020
36. 2018
Ltd.
Ghodawat Enterprises Pvt. Operational
37. 2019
Ltd. (STAR AIR)
38. Heritage Aviation Pvt. Ltd. 2019 Closed in the year 2022
39. Pawan Hans Ltd. (SCO) 2019 Closed in the year 2024
Big Charter Pvt. Ltd. Operational
40. 2020
(Fly Big)
Aviation Connectivity Closed in the year 2023
41. Infrastructure Developers 2020
Pvt. Ltd. (Air Taxi)
SNV Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Operational
42. 2022
(Akasa Air)
Quickjet Cargo Airlines Pvt. Operational
43. 2022
Ltd.
44. GSEC Monarch and Deccan 2022 OperationalCurrent Status
Year of
S. No. Name of the Airlines
Commencement
Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
(IndiaOne Air)
Just Udo Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Operational
45. 2024
(Fly 91)