Aiming to avoid yet another scam in the aviation sector the government has accepted the report of the expert committee, which was set up to examine the current system of examination of pilots, engineers etc.

The committee was constituted in March to examine the current system of examination of pilots, engineers etc., and make recommendations to make examination system secure, credible and efficient and in line with modern and best practices. It submitted its report to the government on July 15. It has made 12 recommendations, six of which relate to examination system, five to licensing and one for development of comprehensive system for licensing.

DGCA has been asked to take action for implementing the recommendations of the committee.

Hit by one of the biggest scams in India’s aviation sector, the DGCA has initiated a number of measures to streamline the process of granting pilot licenses.

Earlier this year it was found that a number of pilots had got airport transport pilot license (ATPL) by forging mark sheets.

It was also found in the investigation that logbooks were also fudged to obtain pilots licence.

The aviation sector in India is also soon going to witness major changes. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, civil aviation minister Vayalar Ravi said that government has declared 17 airports as international airports and nine airports as custom airports to facilitate foreign tourist across the country.

Ravi said that the aviation ministry is encouraging development of airport infrastructure by way of expansion or upgradation of existing airports including small and medium airports and through establishment of new airports (including greenfield airports) to attract foreign tourists.

The main area of focus is also to make sure that the Infrastructure is in place ahead to demand. Support for airport infrastructure development initiatives to facilitate and encourage air connectivity to remote and inaccessible areas of tourist importance.

The government has also declared 17 airports as international airports and 09 airports as custom airports to facilitate foreign tourist across the country.

In addition, Airports Operators are providing world class infrastructure like terminal building, Immigration facility, city side development around airport. Also, many airports at places of tourist importance have been developed.

Ravi also explained that the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has entered into Operation Management and Development Agreements (OMDA) with M/s. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) for India Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Delhi with an objective to develop it into world class airport, Phase-1 of the development of IGI airport has been completed by constructions of the new Integrated Terminal T-3 cater to additional 34 million passenger per annum (mppa) and can operate as a hub.

The minister said that it is upto the airline to take these opportunities to operate regular scheduled services from these airports and use it as regional hubs.

The finance ministry has declined the request of the civil aviation ministry to withdraw the service tax on air travel.