New Delhi, March 11 -- Foreign airlines seeking to operate flights to India may soon have to apply through a digital approval system, appoint a local representative and submit a standardized set of documents, under draft rules aimed at tightening scrutiny of ownership and regulatory compliance.

The move seeks to streamline approvals while ensuring that only airlines meeting safety and operational standards are allowed to run scheduled services to and from India. The regulator has invited feedback on the draft by 9 April, 2026.

For passengers, the change is unlikely to immediately affect fares or flight availability.

The draft framework issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and uploaded on its website, has proposed...