National Air Sports Policy 2022

Context: Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the first-ever National Air Sports Policy 2022 on 7th June 2022.  

Key Points: 

• The policy is an effort to make India among the top air sporting nations by 2030 by providing a safe, sustainable and affordable air sports ecosystem in the country. The domestic manufacturing of air sports equipment will be promoted through this policy. 
• Initially, eleven air sports, i.e. Aerobatics, Gliding, Parachuting, Ballooning, Powered aircraft and Rotorcraft, will be promoted through this policy.
• This policy will also aim to create 1 lakh jobs in the sector and increase the revenue to 10 thousand crore rupees in coming years from the existing 100 crore rupees at present.
• Segregated air spaces will be created in certain locations to allow uninhibited air sporting activities in the designated areas. 
• The Air Sports Federation of India will be the apex governing body for this initiative, and aero sports associations will handle all regulatory issues related to safety, training, licencing, and airworthiness.