DGCA signs agreement with US agency to make improvements in aviation sector

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and United States Technical Development Agency (USTDA) are all set to undertake and improve the aviation sector with the signing in of the Grant Agreement for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase II.

According to a release by the government, "Phase II of the current project is aimed at sustaining efforts undertaken during 2014 for the restoration of IASA Category 1 status and bringing in more systemic improvements in the area of operation, airworthiness and licensing." "It will include components on General Aviation and Business Aviation," it added.

The release added that the USTDA will be partially funding the assistance and The Wicks Group (TWG) will also share the cost of assistance.

The Phase II will look at improving systems at the DGCA, whereas, the Phase I of this collaboration will help India get back its Category one status from the US-based Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).

Under the Grant Agreement, US-based contractor The Wicks Group (TWG) assisted DGCA in addressing the findings and prepared for a reassessment by FAA in December 2014. Based on this reassessment and a follow-up visit in March 2015, India's Category one status was restored in April 2015.