ICAO Archives - Aviation Today

IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet Flag DGCA’s Revised FDTL Framework As More Restrictive

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s leading airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, have raised strong objections to newly implemented Flight Duty […]

Civil Aviation

International Civil Aviation Day 2025 Highlights Safe, Sustainable, Inclusive Skies

Aviation Today News Desk / December 6, 2025

On December 7, 2025, the global aviation community will once again mark International Civil Aviation Day, a day that carries

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is preparing to roll out a Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) framework for cabin crew, marking a significant shift in India’s approach to aviation training and safety. The initiative aims to move beyond traditional checklist-driven instruction and instead focus on developing measurable, scenario-based competencies that improve crew performance in real-life situations. DGCA Chief Flight Operations Inspector Shweta Singh said that draft regulations for the new training model are expected to be released within a month, and the adoption will be voluntary for airlines at the initial stage. The framework is expected to eventually become an integral part of airline training programs across India. The CBTA model, already implemented for pilot training since 2022, emphasizes skill proficiency, decision-making, and communication under operational pressures rather than rote procedural knowledge. Singh explained, “For example, if there is a fire in the cabin, how will they deal with it, how will they communicate, how will they coordinate? All these performance indicators will be embedded in the CBTA framework to help cabin crew train better.” Industry leaders have welcomed the move as a progressive step that aligns Indian aviation standards with global practices recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The ICAO’s competency-based approach ensures that crew members are not only trained to complete tasks but also assessed on how effectively they handle unexpected challenges during flight operations. At a recent industry conference, Captain Ashim Mittra, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at IndiGo, said that competency, rather than crew numbers, determines operational safety and efficiency. “The number of people onboard matters less than how competent they are to handle different situations,” Mittra stated, emphasizing the importance of advanced training models as India’s airlines continue to expand their fleets and international operations. India’s aviation sector is among the fastest-growing in the world, with airlines adding hundreds of new aircraft over the next decade. This growth has created a parallel demand for highly skilled flight and cabin crew, and the DGCA’s move to adopt CBTA reflects the regulator’s effort to strengthen operational safety standards amid rapid expansion. The regulator’s shift toward competency-based models also aligns with its broader vision of improving human performance, safety culture, and regulatory oversight within the Indian aviation ecosystem. Aviation experts believe that implementing CBTA will not only elevate the quality of training but also make Indian crew members more adaptable and globally competitive.

Cabin Crew

DGCA To Introduce Competency-Based Training Framework For Cabin Crew Across Airlines

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is preparing to roll out a Competency-Based Training and Assessment

Singapore: Passengers flying out of Changi Airport and Seletar Airport will soon pay a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy starting in 2026, as part of Singapore’s drive to reduce the aviation sector’s carbon emissions and support global decarbonisation goals. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the levy will apply to tickets issued from April 1, 2026, for flights departing on or after October 1, 2026. The collected funds will be channelled into purchasing sustainable aviation fuel, helping airlines transition away from fossil-based jet fuel. Under the new system, passengers will pay different levy rates depending on destination zones and cabin classes: Band 1 – Southeast Asia: Economy S$1 | Premium S$4 Band 2 – Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australia & Papua New Guinea: Economy S$2.80 | Premium S$11.20 Band 3 – Africa, Europe, Middle East, Pacific Islands, Central & West Asia: Economy S$6.40 | Premium S$25.60 Band 4 – The Americas: Economy S$10.40 | Premium S$41.60 Transit passengers passing through Singapore will be exempt from the levy. The scheme will also cover cargo operators, business aviation, and general aviation flights, which will pay a SAF contribution based on aircraft weight or cargo load. CAAS stated that the initiative is a market-based mechanism designed to accelerate the uptake of SAF in a cost-effective and transparent manner. The authority said the levy would make the cost of cleaner fuel predictable for airlines and travellers while ensuring funds are ring-fenced for SAF purchases. “The SAF levy is a key part of Singapore’s decarbonisation framework for aviation. It enables us to make steady progress towards our targets while maintaining competitiveness as a global air hub,” CAAS said in a statement. Singapore’s aviation decarbonisation roadmap targets at least 1 % SAF usage by 2026, increasing to 3 %–5 % by 2030, depending on supply availability and cost developments. The levy rates could be adjusted in future as the SAF blend ratio rises. Globally, sustainable aviation fuel remains more expensive than conventional jet fuel typically costing two to five times more but is widely regarded as the most immediate tool to cut aviation’s carbon footprint. Singapore’s move follows similar measures adopted in the European Union and Japan, and could set a precedent for other Asian hubs exploring SAF mandates or incentives. The initiative complements broader efforts under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA framework, which aims for net-zero carbon emissions from international aviation by 2050. By creating a structured and transparent levy system, Singapore aims to send a clear demand signal to fuel producers and investors, potentially attracting SAF production and supply-chain projects to the region.

Airlines

Singapore To Roll Out Sustainable Aviation Fuel Levy On Flights From 2026

Aviation Today News Desk / November 11, 2025

Singapore: Passengers flying out of Changi Airport and Seletar Airport will soon pay a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy

Montreal, Canada: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded its 42nd General Assembly in Montreal with significant decisions impacting global aviation policies. According to Bloomberg Government, delegates at the 42nd ICAO General Assembly voted to maintain the current mandatory retirement age for airline pilots at 65, rejecting the proposal to extend it to 67. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) had advocated for raising the pilot retirement age to 67, arguing that the two-year extension would alleviate pilot staffing shortages without compromising safety. The proposal is supported by examples from countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where there are no strict upper age limits for pilots. IATA emphasized that raising the pilot retirement age aligns with ICAO’s efforts to standardize medical assessments, advocating for consistent oversight to ensure older pilots remain fit to fly. The move also supports broader aviation workforce goals, including the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Programme, by helping retain experienced pilots and maintain a steady supply of qualified aviation personnel. However, the proposal faced opposition from pilot unions, including the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which raised concerns about potential health and cognitive risks associated with older pilots. As a result, ICAO delegates voted to retain the existing age limit.

Pilots

ICAO Retains Pilot Retirement Age at 65, Rejects Proposal to Extend to 67

Aviation Today News Desk / October 2, 2025

Montreal, Canada: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded its 42nd General Assembly in Montreal with significant decisions impacting global

ICAO

ICAO Warns of Rising Air Safety Risks as Global Flight Activity Hits Record Levels

Aviation Today News Desk / August 27, 2025

Montreal, Canada: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has sounded a strong warning on global air safety, highlighting rising accident

The escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, following military action involving the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, has sent ripples through the international aviation sector. With large swathes of airspace now declared unsafe or restricted, several major international carriers have been forced to reroute or suspend operations across key transit corridors. Airspace Closures Impact Global Routes The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and multiple regional regulators have issued advisories against flying over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and parts of Israel. The Civil Aviation Authority of the United Kingdom has further restricted operations near Lebanon and Jordan. The immediate result has been a surge in flight cancellations and diversions. Carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, Emirates, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada have implemented rerouting measures, primarily over Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to avoid high-risk zones. These diversions have resulted in longer flight durations, increased fuel consumption, and knock-on effects on crew scheduling. Surge in Operational Costs and Delays Flight time extensions of up to 90 minutes on Asia–Europe and India–US routes are now common. This has placed additional pressure on fleet availability and turnaround planning. Airlines report elevated costs associated with fuel, landing permits, alternate routing, and air navigation charges. While many carriers continue to operate, delays have become more frequent and passenger itineraries increasingly unpredictable. Air India, for instance, has reportedly revised contingency budgets to absorb the increased operating expenses. A senior airline official, speaking to Indian media under condition of anonymity, described the financial impact as “significant” and “ongoing as long as overflight restrictions persist.” Heightened Safety Threats and Pilot Authority In addition to airspace restrictions, the conflict zone poses security risks from potential missile activity, UAV incursions, and GPS interference. Several aircraft have already reported signal spoofing and jamming incidents while operating near affected regions. These occurrences have prompted advisories for pilots to exercise heightened situational awareness. Under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, pilots retain the right to refuse routes deemed unsafe. Multiple union bodies across Europe and North America have issued internal safety memos reminding flight crews of this discretion. Insurance and War-Risk Premiums Increase The aviation insurance sector is also reacting to the volatile security situation. War-risk insurance premiums have surged in response to the deteriorating threat environment. Lloyd’s of London and other leading underwriters have revised risk assessment models for flights transiting over conflict zones. Airlines flying into high-risk regions are now required to submit additional risk mitigation documentation to retain coverage. Some insurance providers have temporarily suspended coverage for specific flight paths until further clarity emerges on the safety of operations. Broader Operational and Industry Impacts The disruptions are not limited to passenger carriers. Air cargo operations, especially those routing via the Persian Gulf and West Asia, have faced constraints. Logistics firms have been instructed to anticipate shipment delays and increased transit charges. Aircraft manufacturers are also monitoring the situation closely, especially as rising geopolitical instability adds pressure to global aviation supply chains already strained by the ongoing Ukraine conflict and export sanctions on key aviation components. As tensions continue to escalate, aviation authorities and commercial operators remain in close coordination to evaluate safety risks in real time. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has emphasized the importance of data sharing, conflict zone mapping, and maintaining the highest safety standards for flight operations worldwide. A long-term resolution will likely hinge on diplomatic developments in the region.

Airlines, Uncategorized

Airlines Divert Flights as Missiles, GPS Spoofing Threaten Middle East Airspace

Aviation Today News Desk / June 23, 2025

The escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, following military action involving the United States and Israel against Iranian targets,

India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has entered into a collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other global aviation authorities to facilitate the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in India. This partnership focuses on integrating new technologies, including electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, into the country's aviation sector | Aviation Today

eVTOL

DGCA to Work with ICAO on Developing Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure

Aviation Today News Desk / January 22, 2025

Picture credits: Sarla Aviation X India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has entered into a collaboration with the

London: The UK government launched a public consultation yesterday (16 December 2024) to implement the UN’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). The move aims to reduce the climate impact of flying, ensure cost-effectiveness for airlines, and support the UK’s goal to become a clean energy superpower as part of its plan for change | Aviation Today

Europe

Fair airline pricing among other proposed measures: UK government seeks public opinion

Aviation Today News Desk / December 17, 2024

London: The UK government launched a public consultation yesterday (16 December 2024) to implement the UN’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction

International

FAA & EASA Pledge Aviation Safety Boost at ICAO’s 80th Chicago Convention Anniversary

Aviation Today News Desk / December 12, 2024

Image source: EASA The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reaffirm their partnership by