Airlines to fly abroad before turning 5

New Delhi: The government plans to relax the bar on private airlines from launching international services before they complete five years of business in the domestic market.
The government is also planning to open up the Gulf market to private airlines by the beginning of 2008.
The policy on allowing private carriers to fly overseas would be revised on the basis of the capability of Indian carriers to utilise bilateral rights, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said on Thursday. After the merger of A-I and Indian, there will be only one government sector carrier running international flights.
While the government may insist on an airline having a minimum fleet of 20 aircraft, it may not insist on five years of operation. Similarly, the bar on private airlines from operating to the lucrative Gulf region might be lifted with effect from January 2008 so that Indian carriers can utilise bilateral landing rights to the maximum.
Opening up of the Gulf market and permission for more airlines to operate international services are interlinked and a final decision on these issues would be left to the Union Cabinet, it is understood.
11/05/07 Economic Times

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Categories: Foreign May 2007, General Aviation May 2007