Draft National Air Sports Policy [NASP]

The aero sports industry had complained to the government that not much was done to encourage aero sports in the nation despite being aware of its potential. Aerosports generate immense opportunities for employment, tourism, and aviation activities.

Draft National Air Sports Policy [NASP] Objective

In response, the government has recently released the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) to promote air sports in the country by investing in infrastructure and technology, simplifying processes, creating awareness, and improving focus on safety and quality.

The Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) was recently released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and sent out for public feedback. This draft outlines the government's vision of making India one of the top countries in the world in the area of air sports by 2030.

It focuses on making aero sports more affordable, enjoyable, sustainable, safe, and accessible. The feedback has been received and the government is currently reviewing the comments on the policy for further action.

Draft National Air Sports Policy [NASP] Key Features

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formulated the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) that mandates the registration of entities delivering these services.

Under the policy, two-tier governance will be in place for air sports, including an apex body named ASFI (Air Sports Federation of India) which would represent the country at the FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) and other global platforms associated with aero sports.

The ASFI will govern different aspects of air sports like certification, regulation, penalties, awards, and competitions.

There will be associations for different air sports that will lay down their safety standards for training, equipment, personnel, and equipment and specify the actions to be taken whenever there is a failure to comply.

Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) will cover activities like gliding, drones, experimental aircraft, skydiving, paragliding, aerobatics, hang gliding, aeromodelling, and more.

Draft National Air Sports Policy [NASP] Benefits

Popular air sports locations in the country will be declared as air sports control zones to ensure the safety of manned aircraft. An inability to comply with the rules and regulations set by the ASFI can lead to a penalty.

The Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) holds a lot of significance as it aims to create air sports hubs across India which would bring in tourists and aero sports fascinates from around the world and increase the revenue from these activities.

The policy will focus on encouraging educational institutions to include air sports in their curriculum and provide students with the opportunity to take part in international competitions.

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Considering the huge geographical area, favourable weather conditions, and diverse topography of India, the country has the potential to become a leading nation in air sports.

Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) promotes air sports in the country by investing in infrastructure and technology, simplifying processes, creating awareness, and improving focus on safety and quality. It focuses on making aero sports more affordable, enjoyable, sustainable, safe, and accessible. The feedback has been received and the government is currently reviewing the comments on the policy for further action.

FAQs on Draft National Air Sports Policy [NASP]

Q1) Who has released the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP)?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) for public feedback in 2022.

Q2) What is FAI and what does it have to do with the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP)?

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale is headquartered in Switzerland and is the governing body for air sports in the world. The Air Sports Federation following the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) will represent India in the FAI.

Q3) What is ASFI and what does it have to do with the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP)?

ASFI stands for Air Sports Federation of India which is the apex governing body for air sports in India. The ASFI will be established as part of the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP).

Q4) With regard to the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP), what will the government do to make air sports affordable?

To make air sports affordable for the public, the government plans to ask the GST Council to revise the tax rate on-air sports equipment and make it less than 5%, as part of the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP).

Q5) What is the intent behind the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP)?

The intent behind the Draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP) is that the government aims to make India a centre for air sports, and in line with this, has set out to create accommodative policies to achieve this.