Turbulence over old planes’ import led to DGCA exit

Serious differences between outgoing DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan and the civil aviation ministry over allowing the import of old aircraft and renewing the permits of non-scheduled operators, as well as some terse official observations by Bhushan on these issues, led to his sudden removal from the post, sources said today.

Bhushan, an additional secretary in the ministry who was holding charge as DGCA chief and had been given an extension in the post until the end of this year, was abruptly removed on Tuesday by the ministry without any reasons being assigned.

The move prompted the Prime Minister's Office to ask the civil aviation ministry why Bhushan was removed a week after the cabinet's appointments committee had approved his extension.

The civil aviation ministry, sources told The Indian Express, wanted to ease rules that govern the import of aircraft, and allow older planes to be brought into the country, saying the current restrictions were too stringent.

In May this year, Aviation Minister Ajit Singh had approved changes in the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) regarding the import of aircraft and directed the DGCA to issue the new guidelines.

According to the existing CAR, pressurised aircraft that fly at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet cannot be older than 15 years and non-pressurised aircraft such as helicopters and smaller, training planes cannot be more than 20 years old.

The move to amend these restrictions began in April this year, with the ministry saying that "it had received representations that these requirements are stringent and are the cause of high lease rentals. It has been stated that when the aircraft are good, restricting the life of pressurised aircraft to 15 years is not justified. The industry has requested for removal of age-old restrictions, while approving cases for import of aircraft".

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