The Ministry of Civil Aviation told Lok Sabha that only six air sports operators are authorised to conduct non-scheduled passenger and aerial work operations in India. The operators include balloon ride, motor gliding and skydiving providers. MoCA said activities are regulated under the National Air Sports Guidelines, 2023, with DGCA overseeing safety standards and compliance.

Only 6 Air Sports Operators Are Authorised In The Country To Provide Skydiving, Hot Air Balloon Paragliding Services, Confirms Civil Aviation Ministry | AI

Mumbai: India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has confirmed that only six air sports operators are officially authorised to conduct non-scheduled passenger and aerial work operations, including hot air balloon rides, motor gliding and skydiving. The revelation highlights tight regulatory oversight by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) at a time when unlicensed recreational aviation activities continue to proliferate across popular tourism hubs.

Lok Sabha Reply Highlights Regulatory Oversight Of Air Sports Sector

The statement came during a recent Lok Sabha session in response to a parliamentary question raised by MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy regarding the implementation of national air sports regulations.

Responding to queries on behalf of the ministry, Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu tabled details clarifying that air sports operations are currently governed by the National Air Sport Guidelines, 2023 The framework, which superseded the National Air Sports Policy, 2022, operates under the Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) to establish safety, security, flight permission, and licensing standards across the country.

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Three Operators Approved For Passenger Air Sports Activities

According to the ministry, three operators have been authorised under the non-scheduled operator's permit, which includes E-Factor Adventure Tourism with nine hot air balloons, Rajas Aerosports and Adventure with two hot air balloons and Aryan Aviation with two motor gliders. Similarly, three operators have been permitted for aerial work authorisation, including Global Konnect Aviation Services with two P68C aircraft, Go Forth Adventures with one Cessna 182P aircraft and Macsen Aviation with one GA-8 aircraft, all used for skydiving.

According to the official statement, the DGCA maintains strict airworthiness oversight over regulated equipment including gliders, microlights, light sports aircraft, gyroplanes and balloons in accordance with the Aircraft Rules, 1937. In 2025-26, the regulator issued 12 special airworthiness certificates, conducted three safety audits and a dedicated surveillance drive.

With only six approved entities managing a combined fleet of 17 aircraft and balloons, industry observers note that dozens of unapproved regional outfits providing tandem paragliding, joyrides and parasailing are operating outside DGCA certification. However, aviation authorities reaffirmed that enforcement provisions including penalties, suspensions and operational cancellations remain active under the NASG 2023 framework to curb unauthorised operations.

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