New Aviation Bill to Modernize India's Outdated Aircraft Laws

The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 aims to replace the outdated 90-year-old Aircraft Act to address discrepancies and promote growth in the aviation industry. Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu emphasized the need for the new legislation, while Congress MP Adoor Prakash raised concerns regarding its focus and climate impact.

The government on Thursday announced the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, intended to modernize India's aviation law by replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act. The bill will address current discrepancies and foster industry growth.

During a Lok Sabha discussion, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu stressed the urgency for the new legislation, pointing out that the Aircraft Act, 1934 had become outdated due to multiple amendments causing ambiguities. The Bill aims to regulate aspects of the aviation industry, such as design, manufacture, maintenance, operation, and sale of aircraft.

Concerns were raised by Congress MP Adoor Prakash who criticized the Bill's focus on industrial benefits rather than public needs, and its oversight of climate change issues. Prakash also highlighted high airfares affecting low-earning workers. BJP member Rajiv Pratap Rudy praised the effort as historic and called for further infrastructure development.