Experience clause to fly abroad may get relaxed

New Delhi: The government may relax the experience clause Indian airlines need to fulfil before being allowed to fly abroad.
Airlines with at least five years of experience, a minimum of 20 aircraft and a paid- up capital of Rs 100 crore can fly abroad now.
The civil aviation ministry wants to do away with the five-year experience. However, other ministries favour a minimum experience of three years.
“No one is now opposed to relaxing the norms for flying abroad,” officials said.
With Jet being allowed to fly to the Gulf, pressure from rivals such as Kingfisher and SpiceJet has also increased.
The civil aviation ministry wants international routes to be opened up based on airlines’ technical and financial capabilities.The civil aviation ministry wants all applications for international routes to be cleared on a case-to-case basis.
However, other ministries feel a clear-cut formula should be followed. The group of ministers on civil aviation is expected to meet later this month.
14/09/07 Jayanta Roy Chowdhury/The Telegraph

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Categories: Foreign Sep 2007, General Aviation Sep 2007