The Ministry of Civil Aviation is hiring. The ministry has announced an expansion of the workforce in its key aviation regulatory bodies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
DGCA has initiated the establishment of 416 new positions. These positions, including qualified professionals such as aircraft and aeronautical engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers, are crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of the aviation sector.
Notably, 114 of these positions have already been filled, marking a substantial step towards enhancing the sector’s safety.
MoCA has also been actively involved in supporting AERA’s functions, an independent regulatory body tasked with overseeing economic regulations within the Indian aviation industry. To facilitate the efficient discharge of its duties, AERA has witnessed the creation of 10 new positions. Five of these positions have already been occupied, with the remainder set to be filled in the near future.
Addressing false concerns raised regarding staff shortages affecting license issuance, the DGCA clarified several points. It reported that the total number of CPLs issued in 2022 was the highest in the last decade, with this number already surpassed in September 2023. The DGCA has also recently issued Aerodrome licenses to Shivamogga Airport, Rajkot International Airport and Utkela Airport in the last six months.
Additionally, there were 27 existing vacancies, of which 24 have been filled, while the recruitment process for the remaining three is underway. According to the Aviation Ministry, AERA’s mission encompasses promoting fair competition among major airports, encouraging investment in airport infrastructure, and regulating tariffs for aeronautical services.AAI has also announced 796 additional positions for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) in two phases, with 340 posts established in May 2022 and an additional 456 in April 2023. Also, efforts are underway to fill these ATCO positions, aligning with AAI’s commitment to enhancing air travel safety and efficiency.
Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation officials inaugurated Udaan Bhawan, an Integrated Office Complex at Safdarjung Airport in Delhi, recognising the need for greater coordination among aviation regulatory authorities.
This office complex will house key regulatory bodies, including the DGCA, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and AERA, ensuring better collaboration and synergy among these agencies under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
