After a failed re-launch in January this year, Gujarat has taken up the challenge of reviving intrastate airlines services and floated a tender to invite bids for airlines operation. This will be the state's fourth attempt to relaunch the intrastate aviation services, with sources stating a new operator is likely to be announced soon. With the tender getting a positive response from aviation companies from across the country sending in bids, the state has opted to keep the tender open for a few more days.
Confirming this, State Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, who handles the civil aviation portfolio, told Mirror, "The concerned authorities have evaluated the bids that have come in. The decision will be announced after the election process is over." Sources in the aviation industry and offices have stated the bid will be granted to a Surat-based aviation company. However, officers and experts in the government corridors and aviation industry are questioning the sustainability of this concept in the state after three failed attempts.
In the news since the state first contemplated the idea of an interstate airline service, Gujarat awarded the tender to a Mumbai-based company in November 2014. Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (Mehair) had launched the first of its services in the state with much fanfare in January 2015, with the first flight being flagged off by Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, who also manages the civil aviation portfolio.
Contemplating on the reasons for the repeated failure of this aviation service, a government source told Mirror, "There were several factors that led to the downfall of this aviation service. One of the main reasons has been that the last operator lacked experience and did not have the correct strategy required to operate an airline. It is not possible to operate such a business with no marketing."
24/11/15 Alok Brahmbhatt/Ahmedabad Mirror
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Confirming this, State Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, who handles the civil aviation portfolio, told Mirror, "The concerned authorities have evaluated the bids that have come in. The decision will be announced after the election process is over." Sources in the aviation industry and offices have stated the bid will be granted to a Surat-based aviation company. However, officers and experts in the government corridors and aviation industry are questioning the sustainability of this concept in the state after three failed attempts.
In the news since the state first contemplated the idea of an interstate airline service, Gujarat awarded the tender to a Mumbai-based company in November 2014. Maritime Energy Heli Air Services (Mehair) had launched the first of its services in the state with much fanfare in January 2015, with the first flight being flagged off by Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, who also manages the civil aviation portfolio.
Contemplating on the reasons for the repeated failure of this aviation service, a government source told Mirror, "There were several factors that led to the downfall of this aviation service. One of the main reasons has been that the last operator lacked experience and did not have the correct strategy required to operate an airline. It is not possible to operate such a business with no marketing."
24/11/15 Alok Brahmbhatt/Ahmedabad Mirror
