Step 1: get the operator’s legal name
Brokers, travel agents and apps often sell charter flights they do not operate. That is fine, but you should know which company holds the permit and is responsible for the flight. Ask for the operator’s registered company name in writing.
Step 2: find it in DGCA’s list
DGCA publishes the list of Non-Scheduled Operator Permit holders on its DigiGov portal, under Aircraft Operations. Each entry shows the permit number, its validity and the aircraft on the permit.
Our charter operator directory is built from that same list and shows the date of the DGCA file it came from. Search by name, city or aircraft type, then open the operator’s page to see every aircraft on its permit.
Step 3: check the validity date
Permits are issued for a fixed period. If the date in DGCA’s list has passed, our directory flags it. That does not always mean the operator has stopped flying, since renewals can take time to appear in the published list, but it is a reason to ask the operator for its current permit before paying.
Step 4: match the aircraft
Indian civil aircraft carry registration marks starting with VT-. Ask for the registration of the aircraft you are being offered and check it appears on that operator’s list. If the aircraft belongs to someone else, ask how it is being operated and under whose permit.
Questions worth asking
- Who is the operator, and what is its DGCA permit number?
- Which aircraft, by registration, will fly the trip?
- Is passenger liability insurance in place for this flight?
- Who is the contact on the day of travel?
If you prefer someone else to do this for you, BookAir works only with DGCA-permitted operators. You can send a request from our charter page.
Common questions
Where does DGCA publish approved charter operators?
On the DGCA DigiGov portal, in the list of Non-Scheduled Operator Permit holders. AIR BITOLA’s charter directory is built from that list and shows its date.
What does a VT- registration mean?
VT is India’s nationality mark for civil aircraft. Every Indian-registered aircraft carries a registration starting with VT-.
The permit date in the list has passed. Is the operator illegal?
Not necessarily. Published lists can lag behind renewals. Ask the operator for its current permit and check with DGCA if in doubt.
Sources
General information, checked against the sources above on the date published. It is not legal, regulatory or medical advice. Rules change, so confirm with DGCA or the relevant authority before acting.