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The European Commission and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have signed an extension of the Financing Agreement for the continuation of the EU India co-operation in civil aviation.
Following the recommendation of the EU-India Project Civil Aviation Advisory Panel the EC delegation to India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, together with the Aerospace and Defence Industries of Europe (ASD), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and SIATI (Society of Indian Aerospace Technology and Industry) have signed on the 29 November 2004, for an extension of the Financing Agreement, covering a period of two years and allowing the continuation of the EU India Civil Aviation Project until 29 November 2006.
The project is worth 32 million euro. It concentrates on a programme of cooperation between European and Indian aerospace and air transport Industry and Regulatory Authorities, in the fields of Aviation Safety, Air Transport Infrastructure Development and Aerospace Industry collaboration, through the development of cooperation in 7 specific areas: Airworthiness, with particular emphasis on cooperation towards an Aviation Safety Oversight Programme for South Asia; Airline Management; Air traffic Management; Product Support; Cooperation on Technologies for economic success in the Aerospace Industry; Pilot/Instructor Training and Airport activities.
The EU India Civil Aviation Project with 18 million euro of EC contribution is one of the largest projects of the European Union in India. The extension follows a four year co-operation with Indian aviation authorities and industries. The European Association of Aerospace Industries implemented the Project. More than 200 technical sessions have been implemented involving 5000 Indian Experts and 800 European Experts. The Project supported Indian certification flight test organization and programmes as well as the adoption of Certification standards and maintenance rules based upon European Regulations (CAR 21 and CAR 145). Flight inspectors and airworthiness inspectors have been trained in accordance with European standards and practices. It is likely that extension of the current phase would open the door for adoption of such practices by DGCA and by the Indian aerospace laboratories and industries.
The extension of the Project will allow fostering initiatives between Europe and India for a mutually beneficial partnership. For the next two years the Project will be looking for a reinforcement of the links between the European and Indian aerospace communities and to the targeting of specific impacts: To establish a set of common regulations between India and Europe allowing mutually recognized regulations in the field of certification, manufacturing and maintenance; To foster a series of joint ventures increasing the cooperation between Indian and European civil aviation industries; and to support the launch for the set up of a common Post Graduate Diploma in the field of Aviation Safety allowing, here again, mutual recognition between Europe and India.
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