Question : CIVIL AVIATION POLICY

(a) whether the Government has formulated a draft civil aviation policy and if so, the details thereof along with its salient features;

(b) whether certain States/experts have raised objections over this policy and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether there is any delay in finalisation of the said policy and if so, the reasons therefor along with the time by which it is likely to be finalised and announced;

(d) whether any accompanying tentative action plan has been devised on implementing different components of the draft policy including enhancement of the regional connectivity and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether helicopter services are also envisaged for North-East region within the scope of the policy by the Government and under Public-Private Partnership mode and if so, the details thereof along with the likely incentives for helicopter operators in respect of operational costs in the region?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a) to (d) : Yes, Madam. Hon`ble Minister for Civil Aviation had unveiled a Draft Civil Aviation Policy on 10th November, 2014 to address various issues related to the sector. This policy covers all the aspects of Civil Aviation Sector in the country.Main features of policy relate to Development of airports, Rationalizing the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Development of the Cargo sector, Institutional reforms, Enhancing Regional Connectivity, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, Modernization of Air Navigation Services (ANS), Development of Helicopter Aviation, DGCA and e-Governance. The Ministry invited comments/ suggestions of the public/stakeholders including State Governments on the draft policy. A meeting was also held on 30th December, 2014 to elicit the views of the State Governments some of whom expressed their apprehensions regarding development of six metropolitan airports as major international Hubs. The comments received from various agencies have been circulated to the concerned organisations for their views. The policy is at formative stage and it is difficult to provide exact time lines.

(e): The draft Civil Aviation Policy envisages development of Helicopter aviation in locations with sufficient potential.