Praful Patel says government agencies neglecting aviation sector

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Monday came down heavily on the government, saying some state agencies did not understand the aviation sector and were neglecting it.
“It is unfortunate that some agencies in the government do not understand the aviation sector. They treat the sector just like any other mode of transport and fail to understand the importance of the aviation sector,” the minister said.
"I feel sorry for that," he told reporters during an interaction with them on the forthcoming India-Aviation 2008, India's first-ever civilian air show to be held in Hyderabad from Oct 15.
Patel said taxes on aviation fuel were too high - 35 percent in some states, but the government has failed to address the concerns of the aviation industry.
Maintaining that air fares would come down soon, Patel said: "The government does not regulate fares. It is good to see air fuel prices coming down. We hope that it would reduce further."
Asked to comment on airlines not refunding fares to passengers in case of cancellation or delay of flights or unavailability of seats, the practice also followed by India's national carrier, Air India, the minister said it was a policy decision and would need advice from the departments concerned.
29/09/08 Indo-Asian News Service/Fresh News

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Sep 2008