Question : MoU on Flight Safety

(a) whether the Government has signed any Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with certain countries to comply with international obligations as well as to enhance safety of passengers travelling by air;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has signed MoU with Germany for carriage of In-flight Security Officers (IFCOs) on board the flight, recently;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the benefits likely to accrue to both the countries therefrom; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure safety of people travelling by air?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): No Madam.

(b): Does not arise.

(c) & (d): Yes Madam. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Federal Republic of Germany in October, 2015 on detailed procedure for carriage of weapons and other related equipment by In- Flight Security Officers(IFSOs), procedure for handling disruptive/unruly passengers etc.

(e): To neutralize the threat perception to civil aviation operations at Indian airports and to Indian air carriers, appropriate anti-hijacking, anti-sabotage and access measures are taken. Apart from this to ensure safety of travelling passengers, Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA) has also issued Civil Aviation Requirements(CAR) on the basis of International Civil Aviation Organisation(ICAO) recccommendation and standard compliance. Besides these steps, DGCA ensures compliance of recommendation emanating from investigation of aircraft accidents and hazardous incidents , Safety oversight/survelliance/regulatory audit/spot checks, monitoring of Flight Data Recorders and also ensures mandatory equipment installation for safe operations of aircraft.