Madhya Pradesh Awaits DGCA Flying Clearance for Rs 300 Crore Bombardier Challenger 3500 Jet Parked in Bhopal
Why It MattersA state-purchased business jet waiting on DGCA clearance after delivery shows how regulatory approval, not the competitive tender, can become the gating step for government aircraft entering service in India.
The Madhya Pradesh government expects to obtain flying permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its newly purchased Bombardier Challenger 3500 jet by the end of November or the first week of December. The aircraft, which costs over Rs 300 crore, landed in Bhopal on October 19 and has been parked at the state hangar since.
The state aviation department is in constant touch with the DGCA and is supplying documents related to the aircraft, including its purchase price and insurance. An aviation department official said all documents provided by the seller, Bombardier, would be submitted to the DGCA. A DGCA team may travel to Bhopal to carry out a physical verification of the jet before granting flying permission.
The state government floated the tender two years ago, and three companies took part in the bidding. Canada-based Bombardier quoted the lowest rate, and the aircraft's security features also matched the government's needs, so the government selected Bombardier to supply the jet. One of the other two bidders was the US-based Textron.
