The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024: Aligning Indian Aviation Regulation With Global Standards
- IJLLR Journal
- May 19
- 1 min read
Om Upadhyaya, Parul University
Harshita Bagh, Parul University
I. Introduction
India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in recent years, solidifying its position as one of the world’s top three aviation markets. According to projections made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India is on track to become the third-largest air passenger market globally by 2030, driven by rapid urbanization, a growing middle class, and government schemes aimed at improving regional connectivity. Over 1.43 crore domestic passengers were recorded in 2023–2024, with consistent double-digit growth expected in the next five years.
Yet, despite the sector’s dynamic evolution, India’s legislative infrastructure remained anchored in the Aircraft Act, 1934, a law introduced during the colonial period. Originally intended to regulate limited aircraft operations during the early days of aviation, the Act offered minimal clarity on modern regulatory issues such as airworthiness certification, pilot licensing, digital air traffic control, drone regulation, and carbon emissions monitoring. Over the decades, the Act was amended multiple times, but these amendments only resulted in fragmented oversight and a regulatory patchwork inadequate for today’s complex civil aviation ecosystem.
Recognizing the necessity for transformation, the Government of India introduced the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, to replace the antiquated Aircraft Act entirely. The new statute is designed to harmonize India’s aviation laws with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) issued by ICAO under the Chicago Convention, 1944, ensuring international compliance, regulatory efficiency, and readiness for future technological and environmental challenges.
