India and US strengthen aviation safety cooperation with new DGCA–FAA agreement

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has signed a new working arrangement with the United States aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to strengthen cooperation on aviation safety and aircraft certification.

The agreement, signed on March 5, 2026, aims to improve coordination between the two regulators as India’s aviation sector continues to expand rapidly. The arrangement is part of the broader Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between India and the United States, which enables both countries to work together on aviation safety standards.

The new framework will help streamline the process through which aircraft and aircraft engines manufactured in the United States are approved for use in India. Major global aerospace companies such as Boeing, GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are expected to benefit from the improved coordination between the two regulators.

Officials said the arrangement will make the certification and validation process more transparent and efficient, while maintaining strict safety standards. This is particularly important as Indian airlines continue to add new aircraft to their fleets to meet rising passenger demand.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, with airlines placing large aircraft orders in recent years. Many of these aircraft and engines are manufactured in the United States, making close regulatory cooperation between the DGCA and the FAA essential.

Aviation experts say the new arrangement could help reduce regulatory delays and ensure smoother approvals for new aircraft entering the Indian market. For passengers, this means airlines will be able to induct modern aircraft more efficiently while maintaining strong safety oversight.

The DGCA said the initiative will further strengthen India–US aviation ties and support the continued growth of the country’s aviation sector by ensuring high levels of safety, efficiency and regulatory coordination.