In a decisive move to enhance aviation safety, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a fresh draft titled “Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees, etc.) Rules, 2025”.
The rules come in response to the devastating Air India Dreamliner crash on June 12, which claimed 240 lives and sent shockwaves through the aviation sector.
The proposed regulations aim to identify and eliminate unauthorised buildings and trees within designated zones near airports that pose hazards to flight operations. The draft mandates airport authorities to serve violation notices to property owners and swiftly report any breaches to the Director General of Civil Aviation.
According to the draft: “Any building or tree that exists in violation of the provisions of the aforesaid notification shall be addressed immediately by serving a copy of the notification to the owner…,” reinforcing the government’s commitment to passenger safety.
These rules are expected to come into effect upon publication in the Official Gazette and are part of broader reforms to improve airspace infrastructure. The draft has also prompted renewed discussions on accountability, preparedness, and infrastructural compliance around critical aviation hubs.
As investigations into the AI171 crash continue, the ministry’s strong stance signals a new era of risk mitigation and heightened regulatory enforcement in India’s civil aviation framework.
