Aviation industry flays govt policy

New Delhi: The aviation industry is unhappy with the government’s proposal that it would examine applications for overseas service on a case-to-case basis instead of going by the uniform five years domestic flying experience.
The Union civil aviation minister, Mr Praful Patel, has stated that he wants the Indian airline industry to reach parity with foreign airlines flying to India and urged national carriers to start considering new international routes for service.
However, most private airliners are fuming at the new proposal as they feel the government’s approach is to benefit only a few big private airlines and deprive other competitors. A civil aviation ministry official also admitted that it is meant to facilitate some private airliners who have been in the flying business for less than three years.
Kingfisher Airlines is less than three years old, but is the key contender for flying West. This was made clear when Kingfisher displayed the A-380 airbus, the largest aircraft in the world on 7 May. Kingfisher has said it would fly this plane only on international routes.
Perhaps coincidentally, several Indian carriers have made new foreign route announcements.
07/09/07 Sanjay Singh/The Statesman

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Sep 2007, General Aviation Sep 2007, New Sep 2007