More private carriers may be allowed to fly abroad: Praful Patel

New Delhi: The Government is likely to set up a high-power committee to review the policy on allowing private domestic carriers to mount international flights, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here on Thursday.
Talking to reporters, he said the committee would undertake a detailed review to ascertain if the present norms — experience of five years and a fleet strength of 20 aircraft — for private carriers to fly abroad should be diluted. The panel would keep in mind the rapidly changing civil aviation scenario and the growing passenger traffic.
While Jet Airways and Air Sahara operate on international routes, other players such as Air Deccan and Kingfisher Airlines have expressed their desire to fly abroad. Also, the Gulf sector has been reserved for Indian and Air India till 2008.
Defending the present policy, Mr. Patel said the requirements of Indian carriers were different from those of other airlines.
22/12/06 The Hindu

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