Archive · 22 Aug 2026
India Confirms Six Authorised Air Sports Operators Amid Unlicensed Growth
India has rules for companies that offer activities such as balloon rides and skydiving.
The Civil Aviation Ministry says only six companies currently have official permission.
Three companies can provide passenger activities using hot air balloons or motor gliders.
Three others can conduct aerial work connected with skydiving.
Together, these operators use 17 aircraft and balloons.
The aviation regulator checks whether their equipment is safe.
Officials say some unapproved businesses still offer activities such as paragliding and joyrides.
Penalties, suspensions and cancellations can be used against operators that break the rules.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation says six operators are authorised for regulated air sports activities.
Three operators hold permits for passenger activities involving hot air balloons and motor gliders.
Three operators are authorised for aerial work, using aircraft for skydiving operations.
The approved operators collectively manage 17 aircraft and balloons, according to the ministry.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted three safety audits and issued 12 special airworthiness certificates in 2025-26.
- Who
- India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and six authorised air sports operators; the information was provided in response to MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy’s question.
- What
- The ministry confirmed that six operators are authorised for regulated passenger air sports and aerial work, including balloon rides, motor gliding and skydiving.
- When
- The confirmation was given during a recent Lok Sabha session; the cited regulatory activity covers 2025-26.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To clarify the regulatory status of air sports and reinforce safety oversight amid reports of unapproved recreational aviation activities.
- Authorised operators
- Six operators are authorised under the applicable permits and approvals.
- Passenger air sports operators
- E-Factor Adventure Tourism, Rajas Aerosports and Adventure, and Aryan Aviation.
- Aerial work operators
- Global Konnect Aviation Services, Go Forth Adventures, and Macsen Aviation.
- Combined fleet
- The six operators manage 17 aircraft and balloons.
- Regulatory framework
- The National Air Sport Guidelines, 2023, replaced the National Air Sports Policy, 2022.
- Safety oversight
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued 12 special airworthiness certificates and conducted three safety audits in 2025-26.
- Enforcement
- The framework allows penalties, suspensions and operational cancellations for unauthorised operations.