Click to play videoNew Delhi: Travellers flying out of India could have a wider choice of airlines by the end of the year. SpiceJet, Indigo, GoAir, Kingfisher, even Paramount, could fly international.
CNN-IBN learns from top Civil Aviation Ministry sources that the minimum five-year domestic operation criteria for starting international flights is likely to be scrapped.
It will be replaced by technical criteria, the number and the kind of aircraft needed for international flights, pilots with the right flying experience and other personnel and international compliance norms.
If cleared, it will mean good news for airlines and flyers:
- Fuel will be cheaper, Aviation Turbine Fuel for international operations will cost 35 per cent less, since state taxes are waived.
- Aircraft operating in saturated routes will be better utilised.
- Indian carriers will compete with international ones, lowering fares.
The government has three months to clear it with the Empowered Group of Ministers. Any delay will make it difficult to push through as the election process starts kicking in.
But for an industry seeing gloom due to high fuel prices, it’s finally some good news.
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