India’s eVTOL Leap: Sarla Aviation Achieves DOA Milestone to Build Air Taxis

Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation has announced that it has secured Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from India’s aviation regulator DGCA. This marks a historic milestone for indigenous electric air taxis and enabling the company to move toward type certification and commercial production.

Achieved in just 3 years, the design approval is said to be the fastest DOA approval in Indian aviation history. The DOA validates the Sarla Aviation's Shunya eVTOL prototype as a credible path toward certification and move from prototypes to certified aircraft, opening doors for commercial eVTOL operations.

The Shunya eVTOL prototype is Sarla Aviation’s flagship six‑seater electric air taxi, designed for short urban trips of 20–30 km at speeds up to 250 km/h, with a payload capacity of around 680 kg—making it India’s highest‑payload eVTOL concept.

Design Organisation Approval (DOA) is the first and most critical regulatory recognition that an aerospace company must secure before it can design, certify, and eventually manufacture aircraft in India. The DGCA approval authorizes Sarla Aviation to take full responsibility for design, testing, and compliance with DGCA safety standards. Equivalent to approvals granted by EASA (Europe) or FAA (US), the DOA aligns India’s aerospace ecosystem with international norms.

Key Highlights

Sarla Aviation is a Bengaluru‑based aerospace startup founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt (CEO), Rakesh Gaonkar (CTO), and later joined by Shivam Chauhan. The company develops indigenous eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility and has attracted high‑profile investors including Accel, Flipkart co‑founder Binny Bansal, Zerodha co‑founder Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy co‑founder Sriharsha Majety. 

• Approval Granted: DGCA Design Organisation Approval (DOA) under CAR 21 Subpart J
• Date & Venue: August 8, 2026, at Sarla Aviation’s new headquarters in Bengaluru
• Presented By: Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, alongside Karnataka minister Rizwan Arshad
• Company Age: Just 3 years old, making this the fastest DOA approval in Indian aviation history. 

The name “Sarla Aviation” carries a symbolic tribute to Sarla Thakral, who became India’s first licensed woman pilot in 1936 at the age of 21.

Aircraft & Technology

• Prototype: Shunya, India’s first full-scale indigenous eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft
• Flight Testing: Over 500 flight tests and 18 hours of flight time completed with half-scale demonstrator Sylla
• Next Milestone: Transition flight with the new prototype expected in January 2027

Strategic Partnerships

• Manipal Hospitals & Aeromed Air Ambulance (medical air mobility)
• Prestige Group (real estate integration for vertiports)
• Jio-bp (energy infrastructure)
• Jeppesen ForeFlight (navigation systems)
• Hexcel Composites & Tata Elxsi (materials and engineering support)

Strategic Impact

Factor	Details
Indigenous Aerospace	First Indian startup to achieve DOA this quickly
Urban Mobility	Paves way for electric air taxis in Indian cities
Government Backing	Strong support under Atmanirbhar Bharat vision
Market Outlook	Minister Naidu expects ecosystem to flourish within 2 years

Challenges & Risks

• Certification Path: DOA is only the first step; full type certification is still required
• Infrastructure Needs: Vertiports, charging networks, and pilot training facilities must scale rapidly
• Accessibility: Government insists eVTOLs must serve all regions, not just metros

Sarla Aviation blends global eVTOL expertise with local Indian innovation, aiming to make air taxis affordable for mass mobility. Its founders’ Lilium background ensures technical credibility, while its investors provide strong financial and entrepreneurial backing.

Introduced in September 2024, DGCA’s new eVTOL framework is creating India’s first dedicated certification pathway for VTOL aircraft. Sarla Aviation became the first company approved under this framework, setting precedent for others.

India’s air taxi sector is accelerating: the DGCA has already granted multiple design approvals, with Sarla Aviation leading the charge, and the government targets commercial eVTOL services by 2028 in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.

Earlier this month, Air India, Japan's SkyDrive and Suzuki announced partnership to explore eVTOL medical logistics in India, aiming to revolutionize emergency healthcare transport.

Besides Sarla Aviation, India’s air taxi ecosystem includes startups like Autosync Aviation (Bengaluru), The ePlane Company (Chennai, IIT‑Madras incubated), and InterGlobe–Archer’s partnership for the Midnight eVTOL, all aiming for commercial rollout by 2027–28.

Air India Digitizes Boeing Fleet with DGCA‑Approved Electronic Logbooks

• DGCA approves use of Electronic Technical Logbooks (ETL) for the B787, B777 fleet
• ELT to boost operational performance, enhance sustainability with paperless documentation

Air India has taken yet another step forward in its transformation journey with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approving the use of Electronic Technical Logbooks (ETL) as the primary technical document for its Boeing 787 fleet and authorising parallel implementation across the Boeing 777 fleet. This will boost Air India’s commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen operational performance, safety, reliability, and sustainability and position it as a technology-enabled, modern global airline.

With this approval, Air India has now become one of the first airlines to adopt fleet-wide Electronic Technical Logbooks across its entire B787 widebody fleet, to achieve a complete fleet-wide ETL implementation.

The Electronic Technical Logbook replaces traditional paper-based maintenance records with a secure digital platform, enabling faster, more accurate, and more efficient management of aircraft maintenance and engineering activities. The digital system provides real-time information sharing between maintenance engineers and operational teams, improving coordination, accelerating defect reporting and rectification, and enhancing aircraft dispatch reliability.

The ETL platform also delivers enhanced data integrity, traceability, and regulatory compliance while providing advanced analytics that support predictive maintenance and informed engineering decision-making. In addition, the paperless system significantly reduces paper consumption, supporting Air India’s sustainability objectives.

Commenting on the development, Jeremy Yew Jin Kit, Senior Vice President – Engineering & Maintenance, Air India, said: “The implementation of Electronic Technical Logbooks across our widebody Boeing fleet reaffirms the collaborative work involving engineering, flight operations, digital technology teams, OEM partners and the regulator. Replacing paper-based processes with real-time digital information, we are improving operational efficiency, strengthening maintenance governance, enhancing regulatory compliance and enabling faster decision-making across our engineering and operations teams.”

The achievement reflects Air India’s continued investment in digital technologies to modernise engineering and maintenance operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance. It is a key step in the airline’s broader vision of building a world-class, data-driven aviation business that excels in operational performance and customer service.

Satellite Tech to Guide Helicopters Safely

India has achieved a historic aviation milestone: the DGCA has approved the country’s first satellite‑guided helicopter landing system — the Private Point‑in‑Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure — at Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh. This enables radar‑free, all‑weather operations, enhancing safety and accessibility for remote and challenging locations.

Satellites guide helicopter landings by providing precise 3D navigation — both horizontal and vertical — through GPS signals enhanced by Satellite‑Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS). This allows helicopters to safely approach a predefined “Point‑in‑Space” before transitioning visually to the landing site, even without radar or ground‑based aids.

Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the PinS (Point-in-Space) procedures use advanced satellite-based navigation technology to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing infrastructure. This is particularly beneficial during adverse weather conditions and in areas where ground-based navigation aids are not available.. 

What Was Approved

• System: PinS Instrument Approach
• Location: Undavalli Heliport, Andhra Pradesh
• Developed by: Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Approved by: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Standards: Designed in line with DGCA regulations and ICAO requirements

Why It Matters

• Safety Boost: Enables precise instrument approaches even in poor visibility.
• Radar‑Free Operations: No need for costly ground‑based navigation aids.
• All‑Weather Accessibility: Expands helicopter services to remote, mountainous, or disaster‑prone areas.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces delays and diversions during adverse weather.
• Applications: Emergency medical transport, disaster relief, tourism, offshore operations, corporate aviation.

Comparison: Traditional vs PinS

Traditional ILS/Radar	PinS Satellite Approach
Requires ground‑based transmitters	Satellite signals only
High installation/maintenance cost	Lower infrastructure cost
Limited to airports with ILS	Works at heliports without ILS
Precision in poor weather	Comparable precision, even in low visibility
Vulnerable if equipment fails	More resilient, radar‑free

Broader Context

• Linked Milestone: India demonstrated its first GAGAN‑based precision landing for commercial aircraft.
• Government Vision: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu hailed PinS as “the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations.”
• Future Outlook: Approval at Undavalli expected to accelerate adoption nationwide.

Implications for India

• Safer connectivity: Remote regions like Himalayan shrines and disaster zones.
• Medical evacuation: Expansion of emergency services.
• Corporate aviation: Enhanced reliability for business travel.
• Cost efficiency: Reduced reliance on expensive radar infrastructure.

This development expected to pave the way for the development of similar PinS procedures across the country, benefiting emergency medical services, disaster relief operations, tourism, offshore activities, pilgrimage services, corporate aviation, and regional connectivity. It will enable safer Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations to remote and strategically important locations, improve operational reliability, and reduce weather-related disruptions.

Speaking on the development, Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, "The introduction of India's first PinS Instrument Approach Procedure marks the beginning of a new era in helicopter operations by significantly enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency and all-weather accessibility. I sincerely appreciate the coordinated efforts of all concerned agencies including the Airports Authority of India, DGCA and the state government of Andhra Pradesh in achieving this historic milestone. Our foremost priority is the adoption of modern technologies to make helicopter operations more reliable and more accessible across the country. We also recently concluded the first phase of this year's Char Dham helicopter operations successfully without any incident supported by upgraded technological infrastructure. Our commitment is to build a technology-driven and globally benchmarked helicopter ecosystem in India."

ideaForge Q6 V2 GEO Wins DGCA Certification for Enterprise UAV Ops

ideaForge Technology Limited, India’s leading UAV technology company, today announced DGCA Type Certification for the Q6 V2 GEO, a multi-purpose enterprise and geospatial UAV designed for advanced surveillance, mapping, inspection, and multi-sensor aerial data acquisition, under the Drone Rules, 2021, in the Small category (2 to 25 kg).

The Q6 V2 GEO addresses the growing demand for reliable aerial surveillance, mapping, surveying, and geospatial data acquisition across enterprise and government operations, spanning infrastructure, mining, utilities, urban planning, forestry, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and disaster response.

Launched at PRAGYA 2025 as part of ideaForge’s geospatial technology initiatives, the platform supports five payload configurations: LiDAR, LiDAR with RGB imaging, high-resolution photogrammetry, 3D oblique imaging, and dual (day & night) payload operations. The platform is suited for applications such as perimeter surveillance and patrolling, terrain modelling, corridor mapping, volumetric analysis, infrastructure inspection, environmental assessment, glacier and avalanche mapping, river basin conservation, rural land digitisation, and high-resolution heritage and terrain documentation across challenging environments.

The Q6 V2 GEO is part of ideaForge's complete enterprise and geospatial stack, operating with the BlueFire Touch ground control system for terrain-adaptive mission planning and multi-UAV coordination, and FLYGHT CLOUD for video data analysis, mission data management, and processing orthomosaics, point clouds, NDVI layers, and 3D terrain models in the cloud. Together, the platform and the stack deliver an end-to-end workflow from flight to certified data output.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Ankit Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, ideaForge Technology Limited, said: “We are pleased that Q6 V2 GEO has received DGCA Type Certification. The platform has been developed to address the growing need for reliable aerial intelligence, surveillance, mapping, and geospatial data acquisition across enterprise and government applications supporting safety, security, and governance operations. With support for advanced payloads including LiDAR, Q6 V2 GEO is designed to operate in demanding environments while enabling high-quality data capture for a wide range of surveying, mapping, and inspection workflows.”

With up to 45+ minutes of flight time, the Q6 V2 GEO is designed to support demanding survey and mapping operations across varied terrain and operational environments. This certification further expands ideaForge’s portfolio of DGCA-certified UAV platforms deployed across defence, homeland security, civil, and enterprise applications.

DGCA Approves AVPL International’s Drone RPTO in Hisar, Paving Way for North India’s Drone Talent Hub

The Drone RPTO of AVPL International ( AITMC Ventures Limited) in Sisai, Hisar has received official approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), marking a key milestone for drone training in North India. The RPTO now features 10 dedicated flying zones, offering extensive hands-on training for students. The RPTO offers students hands-on experience in flying and maintaining drones, adhering to national safety and training standards.

The RPTO aims to empower young men and women with drone skills for sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, security, and environmental projects, while positioning Hisar as a hub for skill development and employment opportunities.

Dr. Preet Sandhuu, Founder & MD of AVPL International, said, “This DGCA approval is a proud moment for us. Our mission is to equip India’s youth with cutting-edge drone skills and create meaningful employment opportunities, especially in rural areas. We are committed to building a skilled workforce ready for the future of drone technology.”

About AVPL International:

AVPL International (AITMC Ventures Ltd.) is a leading drone company. We stand at the forefront of India’s drone revolution, blending cutting-edge research, robust R&D infrastructure, and industry-driven innovation. With over a decade of leadership, AVPL is committed to shaping the future of unmanned systems globally. Our objective is to indigenously design, manufacture and operate cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems across critical sectors including Defence, Logistics, Agriculture, Urban Development, Land & Mining, Power, Forestry, Roadways, and Skill & Education, thereby strengthening national security, driving sustainable socio economic transformation, and propelling India’s drone industry to global leadership under the ʻMake in India’ initiative.

For more information, please visit : https://avplinternational.com/

Air India–Airbus JV Unveils Simulator-Driven Training Centre for 5,000 Pilots

Air India and Airbus have inaugurated a state-of-the-art pilot training centre at the Air India Aviation Training Academy in Gurugram, aimed at training over 5,000 pilots in the next decade to support India’s booming aviation sector.

The 12,000 sq. m. facility, a 50:50 joint venture between Air India and Airbus, will feature 10 Full Flight Simulators for Airbus A320 and A350 aircraft families, with courses approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Currently, two A320 simulators are operational, with more to be added progressively.

This centre consolidates Air India’s pilot training under one roof and strengthens India’s aviation infrastructure. It complements the Academy’s broader goal of training 50,000 aviation professionals, including cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff over the next few years.

Watch the video of the Air India and Airbus facility that will shape the future of Air India’s pilot training.

Air India is also developing South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati and a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) near its upcoming MRO facility in Bengaluru, further boosting India’s aviation capabilities.

Marut Drones Surveillance Drone ‘Skyswift 56’ Receives DGCA Type Certification

Marut Drones – India’s first drone company with a dual certification for training and manufacturing has received DGCA type certification for its surveillance drone - the Skyswift 56. This small category quadcopter-class rotorcraft is designed to meet the dynamic needs of surveillance, high-precision mapping, and field training. Developed to support multiple payload configurations, including an FPV camera, a 24MP mapping camera with PPK support, a 4K surveillance camera, and thermal imaging capabilities, the Skyswift 56 stands out for operations that demand precision and discretion.

The measurable impact of this Skyswift 56 is significant for law enforcement agencies, with the potential to reduce emergency response times. Furthermore, it can cut operational costs while boosting the detection of illegal activities. Beyond its operational benefits, Marut’s Skyswift56 fosters social and economic growth. By lowering crime rates and increasing community confidence, it can create a conducive environment for businesses and public events.

Skyswift 56

Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Co-Founder of Marut Drones said, “At a time when national security concerns are prompting deeper investments in tactical drone surveillance, Marut’s Skyswift 56 emerges as a timely solution. Developed in house, Skyswift 56 is built to empower frontline personnel with silent, compact, and high-precision drone surveillance tools. Silent, thermal-equipped, and designed for low-visibility missions, it is purpose-built for covert reconnaissance, patrolling, law enforcement, and public safety missions. Its ultra-portable design allows the entire system to fit into a rugged backpack and be deployed in under 2 minutes—crucial for field operations and rapid response scenarios. Engineered for endurance and durability, it boasts weather-resistant, shock-absorbent construction and can achieve speeds up to 15 m/s, making it capable of covering large terrains efficiently.”

India's Drone market a vibrant sub-segment in the market is also set for staggering expansion, from USD 145 Million in 2024 to well over USD 630 Million by 2030, emphasizing India’s increasing drone-based adoption of drone practices. highlighting the nation's speeding up of the use of drone-based farming practices.

India’s drone economy valued at USD 150 Million presently faces an acute shortage of skilled drone pilots. With already over 1 lakh drones in operations, the number is expected to rise to 1 million by 2027. However, the lack of skilled pilots can slow down the momentum of India’s UAV revolution. Marut’s DGCA-certified Skyswift 56 aims to bridge the gap in drone pilot training, strengthening the next generation of drone pilots and making a significant contribution to India’s potential to create over ₹6000 crore worth employment (conservative average of skilled pilots earning ₹50,000 – ₹80,000 per month). Marut's aim is to upskill individuals in operating drones simultaneously as the technology is making significant strides across industries such as real estate, agriculture, thermal imaging, entertainment, logistics, and healthcare.

With this certification, Marut Drones has reinforced its leadership in the indigenous drone manufacturing space, delivering field-ready drones, built to serve India’s pressing surveillance, mapping, and training needs.

About MARUT DRONES:

Marut Drones is India's foremost drone technology manufacturer, focusing on drone-based solutions to address persistent societal challenges. Established in 2019 by three IIT Alumni, Marut Drones is committed to advancing agriculture and building the agricultural infrastructure of the next century to ensure a sufficient, diversified, and safe food supply.

Imported Medical Gloves Violate Every Safety Norm in the Book Says IRGMA, Files Complain to DGCA

The Indian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (IRGMA) has intensified its continuous fight against prohibited medical gloves which come into India through extensive unlawful import channels and distribution activity. The unsafe practices endanger healthcare providers as well as patients and their caregivers while making it impossible for the sector to operate in a fair, regulated market environment.

In a complaint to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), IRGMA has cited four major importers of medical gloves that are violently flouting safety norms, mislabelling their products, and evading all norms under the Medical Device Rules, 2017 and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. These violations include importing expired and otherwise mislabelled gloves, repackaging of gloves in unhygienic conditions, as well as conferring inaccurate certification, placing in jeopardy the safety associated with critical medical procedures, including those relating to radiation and chemotherapy.

Mr. Vikas Anand, spokesperson for IRGMA said,

These unsafe medical gloves are being allowed into the Indian market due to complete lack of enforcement. IRGMA has provided indisputable proof of these violations to the relevant authorities and demands immediate action. If left unchecked, the sale of substandard gloves will continue to endanger lives while simultaneously crippling compliant domestic manufacturers who adhere to stringent quality norms. We call upon all stakeholders - the Government, healthcare institutions, and the policymakers to take immediate remedial action in response to these violations.

IRGMA’s findings have revealed a disturbing pattern of malpractice, raising serious concerns about the integrity of India’s medical supply chain:

• Expired gloves are being repackaged in unhygienic conditions, exposing users to significant health risks
• Many imported gloves contain 18-20 hazardous chemicals, making them unsuitable for chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Companies are falsely leveraging CE and ISO 13485 certifications to mislead buyers on product quality
• Importers are engaging in large-scale tax evasion by under-invoicing shipments and misrepresenting import values, causing substantial revenue losses to the government
• Bulk shipments of medical gloves are transported in non-sterile sugar bags, violating essential hygiene and import regulations
• Foreign suppliers are exploiting loopholes in the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to flood India with rejected, low-quality gloves, severely impacting MSMEs in the organized sector.

The widespread import of inferior quality gloves has caused two major problems that harm both public health security and local glove manufacturing stability. According to IRGMA data, substandard exports valued between ₹1 million and ₹6.6 million originating from Malaysia and the USA persist to enter Indian markets while evading essential regulatory conventions. Such importers have consistently failed to adhere to packaging regulations, display of MRP and country-of-origin, resulting in severe revenue losses under GST through measures of under-invoicing and tax evasion. Furthermore, the loophole of 0% import duty under the ASEAN FTA has resulted in noncompliance to virtually flood the Indian market with rejected gloves, which unequivocally harms the MSMEs upholding stringent quality requirements in India.

The IRGMA has demanded prompt regulatory intervention to ensure compliance under MDR 2017 along with the CDSCO Gazette Notification. The organization demands strict consequences through blacklisting and heavy fines for non-compliant companies that participate in illegal trading activities together with an instant ban on substandard medical gloves used in healthcare facilities. Additionally, IRGMA stresses the need for mandatory declarations of MRP, country of origin, and certification details to enhance transparency and consumer safety. To protect the organized sector from unfair competition, the Association insists on closing the FTA loophole that allows rejected gloves to flood the Indian market.

IRGMA remains committed to ensuring that only high-quality, safe medical gloves are available in the Indian marketplace. The Association continues to work closely with regulatory authorities, relentlessly monitoring violations, and advocating for stricter enforcement to protect both healthcare workers and the integrity of India’s medical device industry.

One of the Complaint Letters

Air India Receives Approval to Modify Aircraft Interiors In-House with Tata Technologies

• Initiative with Tata Technologies to enhance in-house capabilities for optimizing performance, safety, and fleet efficiency
• Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation. 

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has received the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) designated as CAR 21 approval. A significant milestone, this will enable Air India to independently make design changes in-house and implement modifications to its aircraft interiors more efficiently.

Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation, accelerating its ability to execute restoration tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet.

The approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India by D.C. Sharma, Director General, DGCA on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator.

Air India had earlier entered a collaboration with Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. The DOA is a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which has been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance and training facilities. This will enhance operational efficiency and make the airline more self-reliant.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India said, “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it. The approval reaffirms our capabilities to maintain our fleet and commitment to enhance customer experience of our aircraft interiors. The collaboration with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader goals of operational excellence and self-reliance.”

Warren Harris, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Technologies, speaking on the collaboration with Air India, said: “Our partnership with Air India represents a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and safety but also enhance customer satisfaction. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector.”

The partnership will streamline Air India’s operations by integrating innovative digital thread solutions and smart Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure that Air India’s fleet remains fit to fly, further enhancing passenger safety, comfort and operational reliability.

Nearly 90% of Indian Airspace Opened Up as a Green Zone for Drone Flying Up to 400 Feet

As part of new rules for Drones flying in the country, in August 2021 the Indian government introduced the "liberalised Drone Rules, 2021". The Ministry of Civil Aviation then introduced an online airspace map of India to help citizens know where they can fly their drones and what paperwork is required to fly drones in certain areas. Available for all on the Digital Sky website, the airspace map is marked in green, yellow and red zones, giving a clear idea as to where you one can fly their drones.

Drone Airspace Map has been published on 24th September 2021, opening up nearly 90% of Indian airspace as a green zone for drone flying up to 400 feet.

The Central Government has undertaken a series of reform measures to facilitate drone
manufacturing and operations in the country.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said that as on 25th July this year, there are 63 remote Pilot Training Organisations authorised by DGCA for imparting drone training across the country. He said the government has taken a series of reform measures, including the UAS traffic management policy framework, Production Linked incentive scheme, Mission Drone Shakti and others.

Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd), informed about several mesaures taken by the government to promote drone manufacturing and operations, some of them are –

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components has been notified on 30th September 2021.
• UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published on 24th October 2021.
• Monetary grant programme for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
• All application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the Digital Sky Platform on 26th January 2022.
• Drone Certification Scheme has been notified on 26th January 2022.
• Mission 'Drone Shakti' has been announced for supporting drone start-ups and promoting Drone-as-a Service (DrAAS) as part of Union Budget on 1st February 2022.
• Drone Import policy has been notified on 9th February 2022, banning import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.
• Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 has been notified on 11th February 2022, abolishing the requirement of drone pilot license. Now a remote pilot certificate is issued by a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) which is adequate for the remote pilot to operate drones.
• Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2023 have been notified on 27th September 2023, providing an alternative arrangement in case of non-availability of Indian Passport with the applicant, for issuance of Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC). Now, government issued proof of identity and government issued proof of address such as Voter's ID card, Ration card or driving license shall be adequate for issuance of RPC.

Boeing and Air India Subsidiary AIESL Collaborate for Repair and Overhaul of Key Indian Defence Platforms

Image - www.aiesl.in

• Collaboration planned under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) initiative to build India as a regional MRO hub
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of Boeing 777 VIP aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force and P-8I aircraft fleet operated by the Indian Navy
• Additionally exploring collaboration in repair and overhaul of landing gear and other commercial common 737NG equipment fitted on the P-8I fleet

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced an effort to explore opportunities with Air India Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL), a wholly owned Subsidiary of Air India, for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of critical equipment on key Boeing defence platforms in India, including the P-8I operated by the Indian Navy and the 777 VIP aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force. The collaboration was announced at the Boeing India Aatmanirbharta in Defence conference organized in New Delhi on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, with participation from dignitaries from the Indian Navy, AIESL, and other key supplier-partners.

"Our planned collaboration with AIESL could position us to provide significant value-add to our defence customers locally by enabling faster turnaround, exceptional operational capability and mission readiness for the Indian armed forces. This is also an important step as part of our commitment to the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of making India a regional MRO hub," said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India.

Photo (L to R) Rajiv Kumar, Head of Marketing, DGM, AI Engineering Services Ltd, RAdm Deepak Bansal, VSM, ACNS (Air Materiel), Indian Navy, Sharad

This collaboration would support the Indian Navy’s growing P-8I fleet, building up the local aviation ecosystem, while ensuring quicker turnarounds for the Indian Navy. It would also help build indigenous MRO capabilities as it would bring the P-8I landing gear repair and overhaul work to India for the first time.

“Such collaboration would drive forward our vision for strengthening MRO capabilities in India, for India. We remain excited and committed as we provide critical support to India’s armed forces as part of the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub initiative,” said Sharad Agrawal, CEO, AI Engineering Services Ltd.

Boeing India’s collaboration with AIESL would provide further impetus to the BIRDS hub initiative, an in-country network and alliance of suppliers led by Boeing in India that envisions a competitive MRO ecosystem for engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft. The hub has been growing capabilities in India in the areas of heavy maintenance, component repairs, training and skilling of MRO maintainers.

An important aspect of BIRDS is training programs to increase skilled manpower by developing sub-tier suppliers and medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) to build high quality MRO capabilities in India.

About AI Engineering Services Limited

AI Engineering Services Ltd. is a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved MRO set up in India that serves as a one-stop-shop for all engineering requirements at major airports with a pan-India footprint. Prior to Air India divestment, the company was transferred to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), AI Assets Holdings Ltd., formed by the Government of India.

With a great skill set, huge professional experience and MRO infrastructure located at all the major metros, AIESL manages and maintains Airbus, Boeing and ATRs fleets belonging to various national as well as international airlines with Technical Dispatch Reliability of more than 99%.

AIESL facilities includes hangar facility, line and base maintenance, engine overhaul, avionics accessories shops and components shops, structural repairs including composite repair, cabin and seat repair facility, landing gear, engineering support service and many specialized services. Its dedicated support team for AOG requests provides highly coordinated troubleshooting and engineering support round the clock. For more details, visit: https://www.aiesl.in.

About Boeing India

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Boeing’s advanced aircraft and services focus plays an important role in mission-readiness for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. Boeing is focused on delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and remains committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector – developing local suppliers, and shaping academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions. 

Boeing has strengthened its supply chain with more than 275 local companies in India and a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters. Annual sourcing from India stands at $1 billion. Boeing currently employs close to 4,000 people in India, and more than 7,000 people work with its supply chain partners. Boeing serves communities and citizenship programs to inspire change and make an impact on more than 500,000 lives in India. For more information, visit www.boeing.co.in.