The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    DGCA puts its services related to flight crew, training institute services online

    Synopsis

    ​​The new system doesn’t require pilots and other executives to travel to the offices of the regulator for licensing and other related procedures.

    DGCA-chief-Arun-Kumar-bccl
    New Delhi:As part of the government’s ease of doing business initiative, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put its services related to flight crew and flying training institutes online, making it easier and quicker for pilots and others to fetch approvals.

    The new eGCA system doesn’t require pilots and other executives to travel to the offices of the regulator for licensing and other related procedures.

    “The eGCA is a complete game changer and brings about a paradigm shift (in our functioning). It is our true tribute to the ease of doing business and makes life simple for our stakeholders,” DGCA chief Arun Kumar told ET.

    Besides pilots and pilot training institutes, the aviation regulator is also in the process of putting all other services related to licensing of flight technicians and airports, among others, online from November.

    Industry analysts welcomed the move, which they believe will bring in much-needed transparency in the system.

    “This will not only improve efficiency but also transparency. Earlier, every permission required papers and files, which did move as desired and permission got delayed without any reason. All of that will be taken care of now,” said Shakti Lumba, who was the head of operations at a couple of Indian airlines.

    To be sure, pilots ET spoke to say bringing services online is a welcome step and long-due but the system, ‘at present, has a frustrating user experience.’

    “While the new system has removed the mountains of paperwork required to apply or renew a license online, sadly, the online process has become equally, if not more, cumbersome,” said a commercial pilot, who did not want to be named.

    Problems with OTP generation and registration of overseas phone numbers make the process cumbersome.

    But people involved in the project say that these are teething troubles and things will be fine and much more efficient once things are back to normal.



    (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News Budget 2024 News, Budget 2024 Live Coverage, Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in