Indian aviation regulator extends validity of pilot licences and other certificates by 90 days

• Amid the Coronavirus pandemic, India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the validity of pilots’ licences that are to be renewed in the next 90 days.
  
• The nationwide lockdown halted training of the flight crew. Services related to conducting checks have also been affected.
  
• The validity of medical assessment certificates, aircraft rating certificates, skill test certificates is also extended.
  
• Meanwhile, the Indian government extended the ban on international flight operations till April 14 to battle Coronavirus.

Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the validity of pilots’ licences that are up for renewal in the next 90 days.

“Competent authority has extended the validity upto 90 days from March 23, 2020 or until revocation of this public notice, whichever is earlier,” the official announcement said.


The nationwide lockdown in the wake of Coronavirus halted training of the flight crew. Services related to conducting checks have also been affected. The validity of medical assessment certificates, aircraft rating certificates, skill test certificates has also been extended.

“Several training organisations utilized for the training of flight crew, conduct of checks have been affected and shut down in many places.”

“DGCA is aware that operators and individual operators are facing issues in completing their requirements towards renewal, issuance of Pilot Licences and Ratings and to exercise the privileges of their respective licenses and ratings, including temporary authorisations (FATA),” the statement added. FATA is Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization, which is extended to the foreign pilots working for Indian airlines.

Meanwhile, the Indian government extended the ban on international flights till April 14 to battle Coronavirus. However, this restriction is not applicable to international cargo operations and flights are specifically approved by it. "The restrictions shall not apply to cargo flights," the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

As of now, the domestic flight operations have been banned until March 31 — but are expected to be extended, given the lockdown.

Airlines already announced that it will cut salaries of its employees. The cash-strapped national carrier Air India also announced cost-cutting measures which included reducing allowances or suspending certain services to its executive pilots, cabin crew and ground staff.

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