Clearances for foreign pilots to fly into airports with defence base takes two days; experts feel procedure is outdated
Clearances for foreign pilots to fly into airports with defence base takes two days; experts feel procedure is outdatedu00a0
Corporate honchos from some of the country's leading industrial houses Reliance, Bajaj, Raymonds, to mention a few are leaving their private jets behind and getting on to commercial flights.
Getting to destinations like Pune, Goa, Agra and Jamnagar, which have a defence base at the airport, is not a cakewalk, if the pilot in the cockpit is a foreign national.
Foreign pilots require eight clearances to fly into these high-sensitive areas and air-charter service providers demand at least two days to get the required permission.
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(The clearances are required from the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Defence Ministry, Intelligence Bureau, CID, the Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Bureau and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence among others.)
With 90 per cent of pilots flying private jets being foreigners, the mandate has become a bone of contention.
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"All the permissions have to come from the headquarters of the concerned establishments the Army, Navy and Air Force in New Delhi and not from the local airport office," said Air Vice Marshall (retired) S Ramdas.
"The procedures are outdated and a blanket clearance is needed for all foreign pilots flying into airports used jointly for defense and civilian purposes," he added.
According to aviation experts, the airfields have been classified 'sensitive' by the Defence Ministry and hence they feel that a clearance for foreign pilots is essential.
"Pune for instance has the MIG-29s and Sukhoi-30s that the ministry feels cannot be left open to any risk for instance being photographed."
"Goa, on the other hand, has Sea Harriers and the MIGs," said aviation experts.
They all, however, added that photography was easier for a foreign passenger on board (who needs no background check and clearances) than a pilot operating the aircraft.
With the problem not likely to find a solution soon, private pilot training academies are doing their bit to bring in Indian pilots.
Yashraj Tongia, promoter, Yash Air Limited, said, "We are currently setting up a team of 30 pilots to lease out to corporates on hourly basis or on short-term assignments."
