New Delhi: The Modi government's decision to transfer out aviation secretary V Somasundaran could be a clear sign to the aviation ministry to shun its inertia and start performing. The lacklustre leadership here -- at both the top political and bureaucratic levels — has led to decision making getting stalled, in complete contrast to what what Modi stands for — speed.
The ministry has been talking of a number of issues, none of which have been decided for months at end. The aviation policy has been pending for several months and the new rule for Indian carriers to fly abroad is also yet to be cleared. The ministry's proposed replacement for existing the 5/20 rule -- that an Indian carrier be five year old and have 20 planes in its fleet to go overseas — has been panned by both new and old airlines.
New airlines find it too complicated, with AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes saying it is easier to "understand Duckworth-Lewis method" of cricket. Old carriers are against the proposed replacement as it links their future flying rights to how much they fly within the country, despite the fact that they bled meeting the 5/20 norm.
03/06/15 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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The ministry has been talking of a number of issues, none of which have been decided for months at end. The aviation policy has been pending for several months and the new rule for Indian carriers to fly abroad is also yet to be cleared. The ministry's proposed replacement for existing the 5/20 rule -- that an Indian carrier be five year old and have 20 planes in its fleet to go overseas — has been panned by both new and old airlines.
New airlines find it too complicated, with AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes saying it is easier to "understand Duckworth-Lewis method" of cricket. Old carriers are against the proposed replacement as it links their future flying rights to how much they fly within the country, despite the fact that they bled meeting the 5/20 norm.
03/06/15 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
