DGCA warns private aircraft against ferrying old notes
It has been reported that some of the non-scheduled operator permit holders have been engaged to carry demonetised currency.
New Delhi: In the wake of reports of large amounts of old currency being carried illegally to areas such as the Northeast, aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday issued a circular warning non-scheduled operators, pointing out that measures such as no-objection certificate from the local DSP for passage between non-operational areas or airstrips and screening of baggage by pilots for small aircraft up to 10 seats has to be done as per rules following which strict action would be taken by authorities.
The DGCA circular on Tuesday stated, “It has been reported that some of the non-scheduled operator permit holders have been engaged to carry demonetised currency from one part of the country to another, particularly from the uncontrolled airfields where there are no arrangements for screening of passenger baggage.”
The DGCA order then quotes the current aviation rules that stipulates, “No objection certificate from DSP shall be required before granting any permission to operate from/to any non-operational/non-sterile area or non-sterile airports/airstrips. Screening of passengers and their baggage in small aircraft/helicopters up to 10 seats shall be done by the Pilot-in-command as per BCAS regulations and verifications to be carried out by concerned police authorities.”
The DGCA said, “In view of the above, all NSOP holders and small aircraft operators are directed to strictly comply with provisions of the... order failing which strict action as deemed appropriate shall be initiated against the pilot-in-command and the operator.”