Introduction
Aviation regulation requires specialised institutions because aviation safety cannot be administered effectively through ordinary commercial regulation alone.
India's current statutory framework under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 expressly provides for institutions including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Regulation and Investigation Serve Different Functions
The DGCA's regulatory role includes safety oversight and licensing-related functions.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has a different institutional purpose: investigating accidents and incidents.
Separating these functions helps prevent regulatory oversight from being confused with accident investigation.
Conclusion
Effective aviation governance depends upon institutional clarity.
For aviation businesses, understanding which authority regulates a particular issue is essential before deciding how to respond to a compliance notice, accident, licence issue or operational dispute.
