Archive · 6 Sep 2025
DGCA Proposes Allowing Older Aircraft Imports for Airlines
The DGCA, India's aviation watchdog, wants to change the rules to let airlines bring in older planes.
Currently, they can only import pressurized planes up to 18 years old.
The new rules would allow pressurized planes up to 20 years old and unpressurized planes up to 25 years old.
This is because getting new planes is hard right now.
Many airlines are leasing planes to grow their fleets.
The goal is to give airlines more choices as they expand.
India's aviation market is huge and growing, so this change could help them meet demand.
DGCA is amending rules to allow import of older aircraft.
Pressurized aircraft up to 20 years old can be imported.
Unpressurized aircraft up to 25 years old can be imported.
The changes aim to help airlines with supply chain issues.
India's aviation market is rapidly expanding.
- Who
- DGCA (aviation regulator)
- What
- Proposed amendments to allow import of older aircraft.
- When
- Not specified, but in response to supply chain issues.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide more leasing options and address aircraft availability issues.
- Proposed Age Limit (Pressurized Aircraft)
- Up to 20 years old
- Proposed Age Limit (Unpressurized Aircraft)
- Up to 25 years old
- Current Age Limit (Pressurized)
- Up to 18 years old
- Aircrafts on Order by Indian Airlines
- Over 1,400
- Leased Aircraft in India
- Around 800
- Expected Passenger Traffic by 2030
- 500 million