An air traffic control tower is pictured at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. (File photo: Reuters)

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Monday said it would soon roll out paperless (digital) licences for air traffic controllers (ATCOs). “This innovative move signifies a pivotal shift in the management of personnel licenses, ushering in an era of enhanced efficiency and modernization within the Indian aviation landscape,” the regulator said in a statement.
“The Electronic License is designed to significantly improve operational efficiency, enabling ATCOs to access and manage their licenses with ease on self-contained mobile electronic visual display devices, such as mobile phones or tablets.
By moving away from cumbersome paper-based systems to a fully digital platform, the Electronic License revolutionizes the way ATCOs manage their licenses. Licenses will be securely stored and readily accessible through smartphones and tablets, allowing for real-time updates and immediate access to license information,” it said.
“The introduction of the Electronic License is not merely a regulatory update; it represents a fundamental shift in the operational dynamics of air traffic management. This initiative underscores the DGCA’s strategic vision of embedding technological innovation within its regulatory framework, driving India’s civil aviation sector towards enhanced performance and global competitiveness. The digital license also compliments DGCA India’s commitment to environment friendly initiatives, as the process of printing of licenses will be completely dispensed away with.”