The Hindu Business Line : Panel to study Air India, IA route rationalisation

IN an effort to bring about greater efficiency in the operations of Air India (AI) and Indian Airlines (IA), the Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up a committee to look into the issue of route rationalisation between the two State-owned airlines.

Briefing mediapersons here, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, said the three-member committee is headed by the Additional Secretary in the Ministry, Mr V. Subramanian, and includes the two Joint Secretaries looking after AI and IA.

Official sources said the Managing Directors of the two airlines would also make presentations to the committee.

However, no timeframe has been set for the committee to submit its report.

Mr Hussain added that the Ministry would soon send a note to the Union Cabinet seeking its views on allowing domestic private sector airlines to fly to countries in the South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) region.

"The airlines of these countries are allowed here, and there is great tourist demand for more air seats among these countries. However, we will see what the view of the Cabinet is before taking a final decision," he said.

Operational details such as whether the private airlines will give a share of the revenue earned from these operations to AI or IA will be worked out later. He said that none of the private operators had as yet approached the Government seeking permission to fly abroad.

Interestingly, the civil aviation policy which has been in the making for several years, had suggested that private airlines be allowed to operate on routes abroad only after both IA and AI had indicated that they were not keen to operate on these routes.

Meanwhile, in a move aimed at avoiding congestion in the sky and providing more security to buildings housing VVIPs here, the Government has created three new "hold areas" in the sky away from Delhi. The officials said "hold areas" were specially designated positions in the sky where aircraft wait while they are cleared for landing at Delhi.

Earlier, there was just one "hold area'' for aircraft coming into India.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Singapore Airlines tops air cargo carriers in Chennai

HAL bags Rs 85-cr orders

Sharjah to launch `Air Arabia'

Panel to study Air India, IA route rationalisation

Contship plans loop services to Asia

Level playing field urged for shipping sector

Bombardier completes train management programme

Addl cess to fund corridors mooted