Scheduled airlines can now fly single-engine planes at night

Phase-wise approach to introducing night operations; move to help raise aircraft utilization

- Anu Sharma

To standardize and enhance the small aircraft ecosystem, India’s civil aviation regulator has revised the norms for single-engine aircraft operations by commuter airlines and charter flights.

Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) did not allow single-engine aircraft to operate at night, leading to higher costs for operators.

With the updated rules, scheduled operators can now conduct night operations with single-engine planes which will help increase aircraft utilization for small airlines.

“The operator shall have a phase-wise approach towards introducing night operations. They should first be cleared for day operations. After satisfactory compliance of DGCA requirements and effective risk mitigation, their flight scheduling may be permitted to impinge upon night-in arrivals," according to the amended civil aviation regulations by the DGCA.