Haryana Mandates Strict Pre-Flight Safety Approval for Chief Minister and VVIP Air Travel
The Haryana Civil Aviation Department has introduced a stringent new system requiring comprehensive safety and operational clearances before the chief minister and other VVIPs can travel on state aircraft. This initiative prioritizes safety over scheduling, ensuring all aviation protocols are strictly adhered to.
Enhanced Operational Oversight and Safety Protocols
To bolster structured operational oversight, the department has invited bids from eligible agencies to provide critical aviation management services. These services are designed to institutionalize a robust pre-flight risk assessment mechanism, focusing particularly on flights carrying high-profile individuals.
The services encompass a wide range of functions, including:
- E-flight planning and flight dispatch
- Flight duty time limitations (FDTL) monitoring
- Weather briefings and NOTAM (notice to airmen) updates
- Load and trim calculations, along with passenger manifest preparation
- Licence monitoring and allied operational support
This framework applies to the department's fleet, which includes the fixed-wing aircraft VT-HCA and rotary-wing helicopters VT-HRY and VT-HYR.
Mandatory Pre-Flight Conditions for Travel Authorization
Under the proposed system, travel on state aircraft will only be permitted after meeting all safety and operational parameters. Flights will proceed exclusively when:
- Weather conditions are certified within prescribed aviation safety limits
- NOTAMs and navigation logs confirm operational feasibility
- Aircraft load, trim, and performance parameters meet approved standards
- Crew duty hours comply with FDTL regulations
- All mandatory aviation clearances, such as flight information centre (FIC) and air defence clearance (ADC), are secured
Officials have emphasized that safety considerations will take precedence over any scheduling or administrative requirements, with no deviations from aviation norms allowed.
Comprehensive Service Requirements and Bid Process
According to the tender document, the selected bidder will provide unlimited online flight planning (FPL) with FIC and ADC coordination via SMS and email. Additional responsibilities include delivering NOTAMs, navigation logs, real-time weather reports, load and trim sheets, passenger manifests for each flight, FDTL monitoring for five flight crew members, licence renewal reminders, and quotations for all related flying operations services.
An official stated, "These services are intended to provide continuous operational support and real-time decision-making assistance to flight crews and authorities."
The bid submission process commenced on February 6 and will close on February 26, with bids scheduled to open on February 27. All bids must be submitted electronically via the official portal using a valid Class II or Class III digital signature certificate. The department has outlined detailed guidelines for registration, document preparation, and submission, requiring financial bids in a prescribed format without modification to avoid rejection. Uploaded documents will be encrypted using PKI technology to maintain confidentiality until the official bid opening.
