DGCA proposes allowing import of up to 20‑year‑old Aircraft for commercial ops

New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is preparing to amend existing import norms to permit the entry of older aircraft into the country’s commercial fleet amid global delivery delays.

Under the draft Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), the maximum age for pressurised aircraft—typically narrow‑body or wide‑body jets used in passenger operations—would rise from the current limit of 18 years to 20 years. 

Additionally, these planes must not have exceeded 65% of their designed economic life in terms of pressurisation cycles—whichever threshold is reached first.

Meanwhile, the rules for unpressurised aircraft—which operate at lower altitudes, often used for training or general aviation—would be eased from a 20‑year cap to 25 years. Approval would be granted on a case‑by‑case basis, requiring a complete review of the aircraft’s maintenance record and proof that it has flown at least 50 hours in the past six months.

The revisions are driven by ongoing disruptions in the global aircraft supply chain, prompting Indian operators to seek more lease flexibility. Currently, over 800 leased aircraft operate across scheduled and non‑scheduled services in India.

If adopted, the revised norms would offer domestic carriers expanded leasing opportunities, helping them bridge fleet gaps amid order backlogs. Still, aviation experts caution that maintenance standards and age‑related safety risks must be carefully managed to ensure continued airworthiness.