The Hindu Business Line : No easy take-off for pvt airlines to SAARC nations

IF you are an energetic entrepreneur planning to start an airline to take up the Government's proposed offer allowing domestic private sector airlines to fly to the six nations of the South Asian of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), then banish the thought from your mind.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, which is drawing up the guidelines for permitting private sector airlines to operate to SAARC nations, is likely to look at the duration for which the airline seeking permission to fly abroad has been operating in India before giving its final nod.

"We cannot have a situation where a person sets up an airline tomorrow with a few aircraft and seeks permission to go abroad. The Ministry is formulating a rational scheme and the guidelines will be comprehensive. We cannot have a situation where the airline operates one aircraft in India and the rest of the fleet is deployed in the international skies," senior Government officials told Business Line.

Officials were, however, tight-lipped when asked whether the Government would allow only one domestic sector private airline to fly to one SAARC nation or if there was any international model which could be followed to apportion the air services bilateral rights for the six countries between the private sector domestic airlines. "The issue is being deliberated in the Ministry. A decision is expected shortly. However, we may have to go back to the Cabinet before a final decision can be announced as it is a administrative decision which has to be taken," officials said.

The Union Cabinet, earlier this month, approved a proposal allowing the private sector domestic airlines to operate regular air services to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Pakistan. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already forwarded the Cabinet decision to the SAARC nations so as to give the final clearance to the domestic private sector airlines to start operations.

However, officials were categorical in stating that the decision for allowing domestic airlines into the international skies is unlikely to be linked with the announcement of the civil aviation policy.

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