Foreign Airlines Rush for DGCA Nod on Dangerous Goods Carriage

Dangerous goods include explosives, gases, inflammables, corrosives, toxic substances, and radioactive materials. Miscellaneous items such as batteries, vehicles, engines, and mobile phones are also covered. Each category has separate packing and handling requirements.

Airlines must submit documents on authorisation and dangerous goods handling. They also must provide evidence of staff training. They must appoint a designated person to oversee compliance with the regulations. The DGCA wants to ensure accountability after instances of misdeclared dangerous goods and mishandling incidents, industry officials said.

The regulation covers lithium batteries, a key component in mobile phones and electric vehicles. India's mobile phone exports have grown rapidly in recent years. Any disruption in dangerous goods carriage could affect shipments of these products. An executive from the mobile manufacturing industry said exports have not been impacted so far.

An executive at a foreign airline said the DGCA should have given more time, calling the compliance window very short. Others noted that a draft was issued last June and final rules in February. "Airlines can't give an excuse they did not know about the rules," said an industry watcher.

The new regulation applies to all foreign carriers operating to and from India. Carriers that have not yet secured approval may need to reroute or delay shipments of dangerous goods until their paperwork is complete.