The Hindu Business Line : Airport regulatory authority planned

Hyderabad May 19 The Union Government is contemplating to set up an Airport Economic Regulatory Authority to ensure a level-playing field for all airport developers.

Addressing the session on `The challenge of connectivity' at the Look South 2007 conference organised by FICCI, Mr K.N. Srivastav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said over 300 new aircraft would be added to different airlines in India in the next five years.

This phenomenal growth in the aviation sector would put pressure on airport infrastructure.

Also, it would require an additional 5,000 pilots.

"This order of growth would make it necessary for the government to make operational the 300 airstrips that are currently available but are not being used," said a FICCI press release, quoting Mr Woo.

Open skies

Mr Chai Woo Foo, General Manager, Singapore Airlines, felt that there was no real open sky in India though some routes were liberalised.

"Liberal open skies would lead to greater connectivity, encourage tourism and boost trade," he said.

Mr T. Srinagesh, Chief Operating Officer, GMR Hyderabad International Airport, felt that there was a need to modernise 35 non-metro airports and more privatisation.

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Airport regulatory authority planned