New Civil Aviation Policy Fast Tracked Most Issues Already Implemented

Most of the issues in the proposed National Civil Aviation Policy have already been implemented. These include:

(i) Easier FDI Policy for airports has been put in place vide which 100% FDI, through automatic route, has been permitted in Greenfield airports.

(ii) FDI requirements for air transport side of civil aviation have been revised and separate limits have been prescribed in respect of different sectors such as cargo, airlines, non-scheduled operators, MRO etc.

(iii) Greenfield Airport Policy has been announced, which lays down policy guidelines for establishment of new airports.

(iv) Relaxed procedure for establishment of private airports for “private use” has been announced.

(v) Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has been established on 12.05.2009.

(vi) Private domestic airlines have been permitted to fly on overseas routes subject to specified guidelines. Further, bilateral arrangements with other countries have been gradually liberalized. These initiatives have enabled considerably better international connectivity.

(vii) Air India and Indian Airlines have been merged to create a strong and efficient national carrier.

(viii) A new Flying Training Institute has been established at Gondia, Maharashtra. Further, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi has been restructured. These measures would help in putting in place better training infrastructure for technical manpower in the aviation sector.

In view of the above, the major component of the proposed National Civil Aviation Policy have already been put on the fast track.

The above information was given by the Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel in Lok Sabha today.

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MC/MK