The Government is examining stakeholders’ comments invited on the draft Civil Aviation Policy and holding detailed discussions with each segment of aviation industry such as airlines, helicopter and general aviation operators, cargo sector, airports sector etc. to arrive at solid measures required to quickly put the aviation industry back on its growth trajectory, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Civil Aviation Minister, said while addressing the meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Civil Aviation.
Raju said India is witnessing a rapid growth in air traffic. Passengers carried by domestic airlines during 2013-2014 were 602.3 Lakh as against 576.5 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 4.5 per cent. He added that India’s domestic passenger traffic has risen 7.4 per cent in August, reflecting solid growth over the past two or three months. Latest IATA data shows that the growth is the second highest globally after Russia’s 10 per cent.
The Minister informed the members of the Committee that there are nearly 400 aircraft operated by scheduled airlines, which may increase substantially in the next ten years. He said new airlines have come up with foreign investments which indicate global interest and confidence in Indian aviation market.
On rationalization of price of ATF, Raju said the Centre will take up the issue with all State Governments and request them again to reduce VAT on ATF. He said the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has also been requested to review the pricing mechanism for ATF, as in India the price of ATF is about 30 per cent higher than other countries in the region.
The Minister informed that in order to achieve better air connectivity to under-served areas and the need for air transport services to different regions and remote areas in the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is reviewing the existing route dispersal guidelines.
Raju said as the number of aircraft in India grows, there will be an increasing requirement for aircraft maintenance and repair facilities within the country. He said as most of MRO work is outsourced by airlines to foreign MROs, it will be the intention to do much of the work, including engine maintenance, within the country. This will give employment to skilled persons and save outflow of foreign exchange. He said the required taxation and infrastructure issues are being addressed by the Ministry in consultation with Ministry of Finance to facilitate development of Indian MROs.
