New aviation policy makes little headway

New Delhi: A second, crucial meeting of a group of ministers or GoM tasked with finalizing India’s new civil aviation policy, which seeks some far-reaching changes in regulations governing the sector, is getting delayed and increasingly runs the risk of falling into a limbo if the United Progressive Alliance unravels and heads for early elections.
Opening up of international skies to relatively young private airlines, sharing of military airspace and restructuring of the Airports Authority of India are some of the key elements of the new aviation policy. Hanging in balance is access to a lucrative international aviation market for firms such as Kingfisher Airlines Ltd and its affiliate Deccan Aviation Pvt. Ltd, whose airline flies under the Air Deccan brand.
Initially slated to meet in the first week of September, the GoM has not come together owing to various engagements of its dozen members. A civil aviation ministry official said the ministers may meet on 1 November, the only date available with external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the GoM.
But, four key ministers of the GoM have expressed their unavailability on 1 November. These include railways minister Lalu Prasad, shipping and road transport minister R. Baalu, tourism minister Ambika Soni and urban development minister S. Jaipal Reddy.
The first meeting of GoM, when most of the ministers were present, in August, remained inconclusive.
08/10/07 Tarun Shukla/Livemint

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Categories: General Aviation Oct 2007, New Oct 2007