Civil Aviation Ministry Confirms Only Six Authorised Air Sports Operators in India
Only six air sports operators in India are officially authorised to conduct non-scheduled passenger and aerial work operations, including hot air balloon rides, motor gliding, and skydiving, the Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed during a recent Lok Sabha session.
The disclosure came in response to a parliamentary question raised by Member of Parliament Rajiv Pratap Rudy regarding the implementation of national air sports regulations and safety oversight.
Responding on behalf of the ministry, Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu tabled details clarifying that air sports operations are governed by the National Air Sport Guidelines, 2023. The regulatory framework, which superseded the National Air Sports Policy of 2022, operates under the Air Sports Federation of India to set licensing, safety, security, and flight permission standards across the country.
According to the data shared by the ministry, three operators have been granted approval under the non-scheduled operator's permit for passenger flights. These include E-Factor Adventure Tourism, which operates nine hot air balloons; Rajas Aerosports and Adventure, with two hot air balloons; and Aryan Aviation, which runs two motor gliders.
Additionally, three operators hold valid permits for aerial work authorisation dedicated to skydiving. These are Global Konnect Aviation Services with two P68C aircraft, Go Forth Adventures with one Cessna 182P aircraft, and Macsen Aviation with one GA-8 aircraft.
Together, the six authorised operators manage a total fleet of 17 aircraft and balloons across India.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation maintains airworthiness oversight over equipment such as gliders, microlights, light sports aircraft, gyroplanes, and balloons under the Aircraft Rules, 1937. In 2025-26, the aviation regulator issued 12 special airworthiness certificates, conducted three safety audits, and carried out a dedicated surveillance drive.
Aviation authorities noted that enforcement mechanisms under the National Air Sport Guidelines, 2023, including financial penalties, suspensions, and operational cancellations, remain in force to address uncertified commercial air sports and joyride operators across tourist destinations.
