The Hindu Business Line : India may need 2,000 more aircraft in a decade

MR PRAFUL PATEL, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, releasing a book at a press conference at Aero India 2007 in Bangalore on Thursday. Also seen are Mr K.P. Singh (left), Secretary, Defence Production, and Mr Habil Khorakiwala, President, FICCI. — Bhagya Prakash K

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Bangalore Feb. 8 The Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, has forecast that India will require an additional 1,500-2,000 aircraft in a decade.

Addressing an international conference on aviation, Mr Patel said that there is a possibility of setting up another airport in Mumbai and also in Delhi.

"We plan to have one more airport in Navi Mumbai and another one in Delhi," he said.

Mr Patel said there are no plans to review the 49 per cent FDI in airline ventures in the country. He, however, said in the case of charter flights, there is a possibility of increasing the FDI limit.

He said his Ministry had held talks with the Petroleum Ministry as well as oil PSUs for lowering the base price of ATF.

Mr Patel said there was a need to set up a cargo network and forecast that India will need another 500 aircraft to meet the demand for the cargo sector.

He said there are plans to further tighten the safety norms and hence Director General of Civil Aviation was being strengthened.