Question : PERMISSION TO PRIVATE AIRLINES

(a) Whether the Government has permitted Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines to operate its flights on some of the international routes;

(b) if so, the reasons for granting international slots to these airlines without waiting for Aviation Policy;

(c) whether the Government would consider other private domestic airlines for operating their flights on international destinations;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) the details of proposals for grant of permission to new airlines pending for more than Six months; and

(f) the steps being taken by the Government to clear these proposals?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a), (b), (c)and (d) : As part of its liberalization policy and to improve the utilisation of traffic rights by the Indian side, Government decided to permit private scheduled airlines having continuous 5 years operations in domestic sector and having a minimum fleet size of 20 aircraft,to operate on international routes except to UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In accordance with this decision, Jet Airways and Sahara Airlines have been permitted to operate on international routes. Other airlines will also be considered for allocation of traffic rights on international routes subject to their meeting the stipulated eligibility criteria.

(e) and (f): As per the eligibility condition prescribed only Jet Airways and Air Sahara qualify for international operations amongst the domestic private scheduled airlines at present. These airlines have already been permitted to operate on international routes.