Latest news with #AircraftRules
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Legal notice flags bird strike risk near SVPI airport in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: A legal notice was recently issued by a former state govt official, Pankaj Buch, accusing various authorities of endangering air safety by allowing illegal meat markets and slaughter points to operate near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad. Buch, who is also an animal welfare activist, served the notice to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Gujarat police, animal husbandry department, and the food safety department of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), demanding urgent action. The notice was served in light of the fatal crash of Air India's AI171 on June 12 and demands the urgent closure and removal of meat, poultry, and fish shops operating within 10km of the city airport, particularly in the funnel zone where aircraft take off and land. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad "Despite clear aviation risks, local agencies have allowed these establishments to function without required DGCA clearances, directly violating Rule 91 of Aircraft Rules, 1937," the notice states. Rule 91 explicitly bans animal slaughter, garbage dumping, and any bird-attracting activity near aerodromes. Even though the official probe is still underway into the AI 171 crash, the incident has renewed long-standing safety concerns linked to the SVPI airport vicinity. The city airport reported 43 incidents of bird strikes in 2024. From Jan to June this year, 23 such incidents were reported, as is learnt from sources. This is a substantial decline from 59 incidents reported in 2023. A list of 25 shops has been annexed to the legal notice, highlighting outlets as close as 3.4km from the airport. The issue of relocation of Asarwa Fish Market has, however, been extensively discussed over the past seven years in the environment committee meetings of the SVPI airport. Stakeholders of AAI, AMC, the state govt, among others, attend this meeting held every quarter. "The Asarwa fish market falls on the funnel area, i.e., the take-off and landing route of the aircraft. However, the issue is yet to be addressed," said a source. "The issue of pigeon racing and pigeon fights in the neighbouring Sardarnagar and Kubernagar areas, which is along the perimeter wall of the city airport, has also been raised repeatedly. Both issues have been represented before the civic authorities urging prompt action," the source further added. According to the complaint, hundreds of meat and fish shops continue to operate near SVPIA's boundary, drawing scavenger birds like kites and crows into the critical aircraft approach path. Drawing parallels to a 2015 Bombay high court ruling, which ordered strict action against slaughterhouses near Mumbai Airport, the notice argues that Ahmedabad faces a comparable risk and that civic authorities and law enforcement agencies are legally obliged to act. The notice warns that failure to intervene could amount to 'wilful negligence' and contempt of legal precedent. The notice specifically calls out AMC's food safety officers for continuing to issue and renew licences for such shops without verifying compliance with aviation safety regulations. Blame is also placed on the animal husbandry department and Gujarat State Animal Welfare Board for their inaction.
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India's draft aircraft rules: What they say and why they matter
India's ministry of civil aviation notified the draft Indian Aircraft Rules 2025 on 15 July. The new rules would eventually replace two British era laws and align with the laws of the International Civil Aviation Organization. What does the draft rule say, and why are these important? Mint breaks it down. Why do the new aviation rules matter? The Indian Aircraft Rules, 2025 (Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam) is an effort to update rules and regulations in India's aviation sector, making these more modern. The new rules would replace two British era laws—the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the Aircraft Rules, 1920. The RT (Restricted) Operator Licence Rules, 2025, will also be replaced by the new law. The new rules align with the laws of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations. A refresh is needed as India's aviation market is expanding rapidly—it is the third largest domestic market, after the US and China. Indian airlines have big expansion plans, with over 1,500 aircraft on order. The new rules could also boost the confidence of foreign lessors. What are the major reforms proposed in the draft? The draft proposes reforms across several areas: Public and industry stakeholders will have time till 14 August to respond with their feedback. Next, the ministry of civil aviation will go through comments, make the necessary changes, and then notify the rules through a gazette notification. What are the changes proposed in pilot licensing? The new rules propose to relax educational qualifications, making it easier to attain a student pilot licence. Earlier, it was mandatory for an aspirational pilot to have a science background in high school with mathematics and physics as subjects. In the current proposal, students pursuing arts and commerce can also opt for a student pilot's licence. Anyone with a Class 10 qualification can apply for a student pilot licence and a private pilot's licence for airplane and helicopters. Currently, it is essential to have a 10+2 qualification. The new rules also propose to make it easier to attain a commerical pilot's licence and airline transport pilot licence with a minimum educational qualification of Class 12. How will easier licensing rules help? India has a huge shortage of pilots. As per CAPA India, by 2030, India would require at least 10,000 new pilots. Experts say relaxing rules for student pilots will be a win-win situation for all stakeholders. Any rules around aviation safety? The proposed rules talk about enhanced focus on safety management systems for all entities. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will establish an enhanced mandatory safety reporting system to facilitate collection of safety data and safety information on actual or potential safety. The draft laws have also included 'fatigue management' as a separate section. In the British era laws, fatigue was missing. Fatigue management would be applicable to the crew, pilots and air traffic controllers. What exactly is a fatigue management system? It is a system to ensure that the crew and pilots are well-rested and fit for duty. For pilots, as per the flight duty time limitation (FDTL), the duty hours are currently 13 hours maximum per day, including up to 9 hours of flying. For cabin crew members, the mandate is 12 hours of rest daily and a 48-hour mandatory rest period weekly. What are the current fatigue rules? In January 2024, the DGCA announced new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules, which were supposed to be implemented from 1 July 2025. The draft rules propose an enhanced rest period for pilots to reduce fatigue. This would increase weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and reduce permissible night flying from 1 November. The airlines have sought more time for implementation as it would lead to increased cost. Moreover, there is a shortage of pilots. Nonetheless, the airlines have started to implement some rules in a phased manner. Currently, rosters, for example, are being made in compliance with the order. The 'night duty' period is now calculated till 6 am, instead of the earlier 5 am.
India Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Candid camera or creepy crew: What is 'breach of privacy'?
Shraddha Kapoor's viral video sparks outrage. When does a harmless video turn into a full-blown privacy nosedive? Just because someone's in the skies doesn't mean their boundaries should disappear into thin air. Welcome aboard the not-so-friendly skies of secret DOES BREACH OF PRIVACY MEAN IN LEGAL TERMS?Breach of privacy in India refers to any unauthorised interference with an individual's personal life, space, communications, or information without their explicit includes actions such as secretly recording someone, sharing personal photos or messages without permission, or accessing private data like phone records, emails, or CCTV footage unlawfully. Under Indian law, the right to privacy is recognised as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), as affirmed by the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy judgment (2017).SMILE YOU'RE IN A CABIN CAMERAHere's what happened, Shraddha Kapoor, Bollywood's doe-eyed darling, was flying through the clouds with her rumoured boyfriend Rahul instead of being left in peace to sip her complimentary beverage, she was secretly filmed by a member of the cabin crew, who thought leaking a private moment was somehow part of the in-flight Tandon with a virtual chappal of justice, slammed the airline for breaching Shraddha's privacy. And rightly so. But let's unpack this, because whether you're a national heartthrob or just a sweaty commuter on the Delhi Metro, privacy isn't a privilege. It's a PRIVACY MID-AIR: MORE TURBULENT THAN IT LOOKS?Here's a little nugget for the legally curious. The moment you board a flight, you're not in a surveillance jungle just because the clouds are watching. Airlines operate under strict rules, particularly under the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), Section 3, Series M, boring and binding stuff, but it's all true.A flight attendant is not allowed to secretly film passengers. Period. Even if the passenger is flipping their hair like it's a shampoo ad. This act can be interpreted under Section 66E of the IT Act, which criminalises the capture or transmission of images of a person's private area without consent, even more so if it's intrusive and shared most airlines have internal conduct rules for crew members that explicitly prohibit using personal phones for such purposes. So yes, a breach of trust, policy, and possibly the VS GROUND: IS PRIVACY ALTITUDE SENSITIVE?Short answer? Nope. Whether you're at 30,000 feet or walking your dog in a Park, your privacy remains your fundamental right. The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) affirmed that privacy is a constitutional right under Article 21, the right to life and personal context matters though. On-ground breaches are easier to pursue legally because:There are clearer jurisdictional or public/private space distinctions are more can actually walk into a police station and file a the air? Trickier. You may need to file with the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) or take it up with the airline's internal grievance redressal system before it CAN I NEVER TAKE A PICTURE AGAIN? IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CONSENTTaking a selfie with a celeb at a public event? Cool, if they nod or recording someone (anyone!) in a personal moment without consent, on land, air, or Mars? That's a legal make one thing clear. No consent? No camera.- EndsMust Watch
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Delhi HC upholds revocation of Celebi's security clearance amidst geopolitical tensions
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea by Turkish ground-handling firm Celebi Airport Services India challenging the Centre's revocation of its security clearance. Justice Sachin Datta upheld the government's decision, citing national security concerns triggered by heightened geopolitical tensions following a military standoff between India and Pakistan and Turkey's support to Islamabad. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, through BCAS, withdrew Celebi's clearance on May 15, leading to the termination of its contracts at key airports, including Delhi and Mumbai. Celebi's counsel, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, argued the firm was denied a fair hearing and not given reasons for the move, violating Rule 12 of the Aircraft Rules, 2023. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said the decision was based on classified inputs. Related proceedings are pending in the Bombay HC.
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Delhi HC upholds security clearance revocation of Turkish firm Celebi, citing compelling national security concerns
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a petition by Turkish ground-handling company Celebi challenging the Union Government's decision to revoke its security clearance over national security concerns. Delivering the judgment, Justice Sachin Datta stated that the Court was satisfied with the existence of 'compelling national security considerations' behind the government's decision. Although the Court refrained from disclosing specific intelligence inputs, it acknowledged the risk of espionage and potential misuse of logistics infrastructure during external conflicts. The Court ruled that mandating a pre-decisional hearing in all cases under Rule 12 of the Aircraft Rules, even in urgent security scenarios, would undermine the rule's intent. It emphasised the need for swift and decisive action when national security is at stake. Balancing natural justice and national interest, the Court maintained that while procedural fairness is vital, 'the security of the realm is the pre-condition for enjoyment of all other rights.' Given the high-security nature of airport ground handling, which involves granting access to aircraft, cargo, passenger data, and restricted zones, the Court emphasised the need for thorough vetting, particularly in cases involving foreign ownership. 'The necessity of maintaining secrecy around sensitive documents used to justify the revocation is easy to appreciate,' the judgment noted, adding that public disclosure would jeopardize both national safety and diplomatic relations. The case stemmed from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's (BCAS) decision to revoke the security clearance for elebi Airport Services India Pvt. Ltd. and elebi Delhi Cargo Terminal Management India Pvt. Ltd., leading to contract cancellations at major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for elebi, argued that the revocation was arbitrary and in breach of due process under Rule 12, which requires notice and hearing. He also pointed out that elebi's Indian operations employed exclusively Indian staff and maintained no ideological or political affiliations despite its Turkish ownership. 'This decision has crippled our business,' Rohatgi said. Representing the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta countered that national security takes precedence over procedural norms, calling the case 'sui generis.' He cited intelligence reports flagging serious concerns in elebi's cargo and passenger operations and defended the government's stance: 'Certain decisions, though harsh, are made in the larger interest of national security--and not all details can be disclosed.' (ANI)
