In the works—digital approvals, tighter entry norms for foreign airlines

DGCA), and uploaded on its website, has proposed that foreign carriers register on the civil aviation ministry’s e-governance portal and submit applications online to obtain operating authorization before launching flights to India.Such approvals are currently largely handled through correspondence-based submissions to the regulator, with documentation requirements determined on a case-by-case basis. The new system aims to replace that with a uniform portal-based process."An airline shall register itself on E-Governance of Civil Aviation portal… by creating unique login ID and password (Login Credentials) and providing ....

details and documents," the draft said. Airlines will need to upload a set of documents, including their incorporation certificate, a valid air operator certificate (AOC), articles of association and details of their management structure and registered addresses.A key addition in the draft is the requirement for foreign airlines to appoint an authorized representative in India who will act as the local point of contact for regulatory communication and compliance matters."Airline (foreign carrier) shall nominate or appoint a local representative to represent it before DGCA for all operational matters, passenger grievances, etc," the draft said, specifying that such a person must be an Indian or a resident of India.

This could also be a legal entity incorporated or registered in the country.Until now, foreign carriers operating flights to India typically maintained local offices, ground-handling arrangements or general sales agents, but the requirement for a formally designated local representative was not explicitly codified as part of the operating authorization framework. The draft, therefore,