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Key Highlights of the Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules 2026

Kriti
Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules 2026

On 17-2-2026, the Ministry of Civil Aviation notified the Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2026 to outline certification requirements, restrictions on explosives and radioactive materials, emergency exemptions, packaging standards, operator responsibilities, and Director General of Civil Aviation’s regulatory powers. The provisions came into force on 17-2-2026.

These Rules are applicable to:

  1. aircraft registered in India or aircraft operated by an operator who has his principal place of business or permanent place of residence in India, wherever they may be;

  2. all aircraft for the time being in or over India;

  3. persons operating air transport services to, from, within and over India, shippers of dangerous goods or their agents;

  4. designated postal operator.

Key Provisions:

  1. These Rules will come under the ambit of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.

  2. Carriage of dangerous goods by air:

    • An operator cannot carry dangerous goods unless it has been certified by the aviation authority of its own country.

    • In India, the Director General (‘DGCA’) has the power to issue this certificate.

    • If the operator’s country is not India, it has to get prior approval from the Director General before carrying dangerous goods to or from India.

    • However, foreign operators who were already certified by their own country can continue carrying dangerous goods to/from India for up to 6 months from 17-2-2026 but they will have to obtain DGCA approval within that 6-month period.

    • Explosives cannot be carried on any aircraft involving India unless the Central Government gives written permission, as required under the relevant rules.

    • If radioactive materials are to be carried on an aircraft to, from, or within India:

      • The operator must ensure that the consignor or consignee has written consent from the Central Government

      • This consent must be obtained under Section 16 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962.

    • Emergency exceptions: DGCA, or an authorized officer, can give a written exemption from strict compliance with the Technical Instructions in the following cases:

      • National or international crises,

      • Natural disasters,

      • Any situation requiring urgent air transport of dangerous goods.

      • These exemptions are allowed only if:

      • Full compliance would harm public interest, a

      • Sufficient steps have been taken to ensure a level of safety equivalent to what Technical Instructions require.

  3. If India is the State of the operator or the State of origin, the Director General can approve the air transport of certain dangerous goods. This applies when the Technical Instructions require that such goods may only be transported if they are specifically authorized by both the State of Origin and the State of the operator.

  4. An application for certification, permission, exemption, or approval will be made to the Director General.

  5. The certificate or approval will remain valid for a period not exceeding 5 years unless suspended or cancelled. This certificate can be renewed for a period not exceeding 5 years at a time.

  6. The articles or substances that are specifically identified by name or by generic description in the Technical Instructions as forbidden cannot be carried on any aircraft.

  7. In case dangerous goods are carried, then it will be the duty of the shipper, the operator and every other person that is concerned with dentification, classification, packing, marking, labelling, acceptance, handling, loading, unloading, storage, transportation of such dangerous goods, to take all precautions to avoid danger to the aircraft or to the persons that are on board or to any other person or property.

  8. Custody of unauthorized dangerous goods: If an officer authorized by the Central Government believes that these rules are being broken or are about to be broken, he can take the dangerous goods into his custody. He can keep them until they are fully examined or until a decision is made about what action needs to be taken.

  9. Packing of dangerous goods:

    • It has to be packed in accordance with the requirements specified in the Technical Instructions in addition to this rule.

    • It has to be ensured that no harmful quantity of a dangerous substance adheres to the outside of the packaging used for the transport of dangerous goods.

    • Packaging used should be of good quality and should be constructed and securely closed to prevent leakage.

    • Packaging should be suitable for the contents, and the portion which is in direct contact with dangerous goods should be resistant to any chemical.

    • Packaging for which retention of a liquid is a basic function, should be capable of withstanding, without leaking, the pressure specified in the Technical Instructions.

    • Inner packages must be packed, secured, or cushioned so that they do not break or leak. They should also stay firmly in place inside the outer packaging during normal air transport. The cushioning and absorbent materials used must not react dangerously with the contents.

    • Re-using of packaging will not be allowed unless:

      • It has been inspected and found free from corrosion or other damage;

      • All necessary precautions have been taken to prevent contamination of subsequent contents.

    • Operator’s responsibility:

      • Accepting dangerous goods: An operator must not accept dangerous goods for air transport unless:

        • They come with a completed dangerous goods transport document (except when the Technical Instructions say it is not needed);

        • The package, overpack, or freight container has been inspected as per the Technical Instructions.

      • The operator will have to prepare and use the acceptance checklist required by the Technical Instructions;

      • Packages or overpacks with dangerous goods, and freight containers with radioactive materials, should be checked for leakage or damage before being loaded. Loading and stowage must follow Technical Instructions;

      • Operators should not load any damaged or leaking dangerous goods onto an aircraft;

      • A unit load device can be loaded onto the aircraft only after confirming it has no signs of leakage or damage to any dangerous goods inside;

      • Handling Damage After Loading: If a package is found damaged or leaking after loading, the operator should remove it, or arrange its removal, and ensure the rest of the consignment is safe and uncontaminated;

      • After unloading, packages or containers with dangerous or radioactive goods must be inspected for leakage or damage. If found, the aircraft stowage area must also be checked for contamination;

      • Restrictions in Passenger Cabin and Flight Deck;

      • Any hazardous contamination caused by dangerous goods should be cleaned up immediately.

      • If an aircraft becomes contaminated by radioactive materials, it should be taken out of service until radiation levels and contamination fall within limits specified in the Technical Instructions.

      • Dangerous goods that could react dangerously with each other must not be stored together or in positions where they could interact if leakage occurs.

      • Stowage of Toxic and Infectious substances should be done according to the Technical Instructions.

      • Stowage of Radioactive Materials: These packages should be kept separated from people, live animals, and undeveloped films as per the Technical Instructions.

      • Securing Dangerous Goods in the Aircraft: When dangerous goods are loaded, the operator should protect them from damage and secure them so they cannot shift during flight. For radioactive goods, securing must ensure required separation distances are always maintained.

      • Packages labeled “Cargo aircraft only” should be loaded so a crew member or authorized person can see, handle, and when possible separate them from other cargo during flight.

    • The Director General can give directions relating to packing, marking, labelling, acceptance, handling, loading, unloading, storage, training and any other process through Aeronautical Information Circulars and publication entitled Civil Aviation Requirements.

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