According to officials, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has launched a number of initiatives to strengthen the institutional framework and improve the workforce in critical aviation organisations such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The DGCA, which oversees and regulates civil aviation in the country, is set to receive a significant increase in staff. A total of 416 new positions have been created within the DGCA, representing a significant step forward in ensuring aviation safety and adherence to regulations. This expansion is being implemented gradually, with qualified professionals already filling 114 of these positions.
AERA, an autonomous regulatory body in charge of overseeing economic regulations in Indian airports, is currently expanding its workforce. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has approved ten new positions to increase its capacity for efficient performance of duties.
This will encourage healthy competition, equal opportunities, and investment in airport infrastructure. Five of the ten newly created positions have already been filled, and the remaining five will be filled in the near future. Furthermore, according to the official, 24 of the 27 existing vacancies have already been filled, and the recruitment process for the remaining three is currently underway.
In response to rising demand for air travel, the AAI has begun a plan to expand its workforce of air traffic controllers (ATCOs). AAI has created 796 additional ATCO positions in two phases, with 340 created in May 2022 and an additional 456 created in April 2023.
Furthermore, AAI has taken proactive steps to appoint personnel to these ATCO roles, demonstrating its commitment to improving air travel safety. These actions are expected to contribute to the ongoing growth and advancement of the Indian aviation sector as these newly established positions are gradually filled.
