Strong tailwinds are blowing for the scrapping of the restrictive overseas flying rule that does not let Indian carriers with less than five years of operation and 20 aircraft fly on international routes.
Apparently, it is being backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even the civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju, who spoke on the sidelines of an Airports Authority of India (AAI) event on Friday in Delhi, batted for doing away with the 5/20 norm, which he feels, was "pulling down Indians".
Kapil Kaul, CEO – South Asia and Middle East (ME), Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa), has no doubt that 5/20 rule would be removed in the latest National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2015, which has been in the making for over a year now.
"I believe that 5/20 will go, irrespective of what riders they (those opposed to it) bring in. It will not stand any merit in the Prime Minister's court," he told dna.
The aviation minister also forcefully advocated for throwing out the norm. "The 5/20 is pulling down Indians. Do we have to pull and push down Indians? I don't think so," he said.
Further, Gajapathy Raju said he did not see the rule having "any scientific meaning".
"Five years and 20 aircraft doesn't have any scientific meaning," he quipped.
23/01/16 Praveena Sharma/Daily News & Analysis
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Apparently, it is being backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Even the civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju, who spoke on the sidelines of an Airports Authority of India (AAI) event on Friday in Delhi, batted for doing away with the 5/20 norm, which he feels, was "pulling down Indians".
Kapil Kaul, CEO – South Asia and Middle East (ME), Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa), has no doubt that 5/20 rule would be removed in the latest National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2015, which has been in the making for over a year now.
"I believe that 5/20 will go, irrespective of what riders they (those opposed to it) bring in. It will not stand any merit in the Prime Minister's court," he told dna.
The aviation minister also forcefully advocated for throwing out the norm. "The 5/20 is pulling down Indians. Do we have to pull and push down Indians? I don't think so," he said.
Further, Gajapathy Raju said he did not see the rule having "any scientific meaning".
"Five years and 20 aircraft doesn't have any scientific meaning," he quipped.
23/01/16 Praveena Sharma/Daily News & Analysis
