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India notifies Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, replacing 1937 aircraft rules

The new aviation framework, effective January 1, 2027, requires upfront fare and refund disclosure and lets the Centre intervene in airline fares in extraordinary situations.

Photo: business-standard.com

What happened

The Ministry of Civil Aviation notified the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, on October 26, and it was published in the Gazette of India on October 31. Hindustan Times The rules take effect on January 1, 2027, and replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937, which governed the sector for nearly nine decades. Hindustan Times+2 They cover aircraft registration, manufacturing, safety certification, maintenance, flight operations, personnel licensing, airline tariffs and airport operations. business-standard.com Under Rule 192, airlines must show the total amount payable on their booking websites and on the ticket, and disclose cancellation charges and refund conditions separately. Hindustan Times+1 The rules also allow the Centre to issue directions on fares in an extraordinary situation or in the public interest, with orders that must be proportionate and effective only for a specified period. news24online.com+1

Around it

Airlines must set fares based on operational costs and submit tariff details to the aviation regulator, which will monitor domestic carriers' fares. Hindustan Times+1 The rules provide for the publication of airline tariffs on digital platforms, and airlines must display base fare, taxes, fees and cancellation charges separately. Hindustan Times+1 The framework also sets flight and duty time limits aimed at improving safety. The Economic Times The rules are framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, which replaced the Aircraft Act, 1934. Hindustan Times

What comes next

The rules come into force on January 1, 2027. Hindustan Times+2

Sources

  1. Hindustan TimesNew aviation rules mandate upfront disclosure of cancellation charges, refund terms
  2. The Economic TimesGovt notifies new aviation rules 'Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam'; effective Jan 1, 2027
  3. business-standard.comNew aircraft rules to replace 1937 framework, take effect from January 1
  4. news24online.comWill flight tickets get cheaper? New aviation rules allow government to intervene in air fares from 2027; Know all about Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam
  5. RediffGovt gets power to intervene in airline fares amid high prices

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