Message from President, BAOA

I have been a regular and an ardent reader of “BizAvIndia, a special supplement to SP’s Aviation”, as such, it is a matter of great privilege for me to put forth my brief message through this prestigious publication on taking over the responsibility as the new President of BAOA.

Simultaneously I express my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the BAOA community for having elected me as the President, BAOA and reposing their faith in me to ‘deliver’: I do hope, I shall stand up to their expectations in meeting the challenges of this onerous responsibility. This, considering that the establishment and growth of BAOA (India) to its present status, in both the national and International arena has been so well founded, groomed and nurtured in his past tenures by the outgoing President Mr. Rohit Kapur that it may be difficult for the subsequent incumbents to emulate.

Since its inception in the year 2011, BAOA has come a long way as a recognised and respected entity in aviation, working for growth of ‘General and Business Aviation’ (GA/BA) industry. As a growing economic power, the need for a robust GA/BA industry in India would become increasingly important in the coming years. In recognition of this need, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has already released a ‘Vision Document’ for growth of our GA/BA industry till the year 2040. BAOA is thankful to MoCA that most of the issues of immediate concern taken up by BAOA, on behalf of the GA/BA industry, are found incorporated in this ‘Vision Document’.

As seen on the ground, there is now an increasing focus on creating a separate infrastructure for GA/BA industry in airport development projects. At Delhi airport, for example, to cater mainly for the ‘small’ aircraft of the GA/BA industry, a separate facility is already under development based on the Fixed Base Operations (FBO) concept, including creation of separate parking slots as well as maintenance facilities for such aircraft.

On a consensual basis, BAOA would continue to take up need-based issues with the Ministry (including with the DGCA & the AAI), AERA, BCAS & other concerned agencies. Presently, for example, rationalisation of ground handling charges has become an issue of great concern to all small operators, requiring resolution on a high priority to ensure that such operators, with their small & sensitive operating budgets, are only fairly charged for the limited services required by them. BAOA is also working for removal of the item called ‘Royalty’ (a legacy of the old, bygone era!) as well of the item called ‘Revenue Share’ as part of aeronautical charges at all ‘Public Airports’, whether managed/operated under the ‘PPP’ model or by the AAI. Rationalisation of these and other similar issues would have long-term implications for a fair and sustainable growth of GA/BA industry in India.

As seen, BAOA now regularly participates in the periodic stakeholders’ meetings being held in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Illustratively, issues such as a ‘separate CAR for commuter operations’, ‘rationalisation of FDTL requirements for NSOP/GA operations’, ‘review of age bar for import of aircraft required for aerial work’, ‘equipping of aircraft for ADSB-OUT requirement’ and more of such issues have been regularly taken up & addressed through the stakeholders meetings held in MoCA. In parallel, BAOA also continues to work closely with reputed industry bodies such as the FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM and PHD Chamber of Commerce to address & pursue policy issues concerning the GA/BA industry.

I am confident that BAOA would continue to achieve greater recognition as the association dedicated to the cause of GA/BA industry in the coming years. A prime requirement to achieve tangible results in this direction would, however, be that all members of the GA/BA industry speak in one voice and, over-riding any narrow considerations, resolve to put up a united front on issues seen as challenges to the GA/BA industry in India.

Jai Hind!