Aviation policy to attract $150 bn projects
The proposed new civil aviation policy is looking to attract $150 billion of investment in the aviation sector.
By TNN |
KOLKATA: The proposed new civil aviation policy, being scrutinised by a group of ministers, is looking to attract $150 billion of investment in the aviation sector.
"We hope to attract around $150 billion — both in terms of hardware and software. In terms of infrastructure, our target is to have at least 500 airports both big and small, with a total fleet of around 1,000 commercial aircraft in the next five years and around 1,500 aircraft by 2020," aviation minister Praful Patel said on Friday.
The new policy will also actively encourage the setting up of merchant airports, Mr Patel said. “These will essentially be private airports and we would like to see more such airports coming up. However, air traffic control will remain under the government,” he added.
Tata Steel has recently announced plans to set up such a merchant airport in Jamshedpur, he added. Dubbed Vision 2020, the civil aviation policy has outlined in detail the commercial and navigationsl requirements too.
"By next year, India will be only the fourth country to have a satellite-based navigation system to manage its airspace. In terms of manpower upgradation too, the policy aims to spell out new skills and institutes needed to support aviation growth," Mr Patel said.
Significantly, the ambit of the regulatory framework in the aviation sector, now under Airport Economy Regulatory Authority, is also slated to be expanded to include crucial issues like consumer grievances and a host of other issues, Mr Patel added.
On the question of relaxation in the five years in operation and 20 aircraft fleet strength norm for domestic carriers to be able to fly abroad, Mr Patel said the ministry views that Indian carriers should command a 50% share of all in-bound and out-bound air traffic to and from the country.
Currently, Indian carriers have a 30% share of air traffic which stands further diluted if long haul routes are taken into consideration.
"We hope to attract around $150 billion — both in terms of hardware and software. In terms of infrastructure, our target is to have at least 500 airports both big and small, with a total fleet of around 1,000 commercial aircraft in the next five years and around 1,500 aircraft by 2020," aviation minister Praful Patel said on Friday.
The new policy will also actively encourage the setting up of merchant airports, Mr Patel said. “These will essentially be private airports and we would like to see more such airports coming up. However, air traffic control will remain under the government,” he added.
Tata Steel has recently announced plans to set up such a merchant airport in Jamshedpur, he added. Dubbed Vision 2020, the civil aviation policy has outlined in detail the commercial and navigationsl requirements too.
"By next year, India will be only the fourth country to have a satellite-based navigation system to manage its airspace. In terms of manpower upgradation too, the policy aims to spell out new skills and institutes needed to support aviation growth," Mr Patel said.
Significantly, the ambit of the regulatory framework in the aviation sector, now under Airport Economy Regulatory Authority, is also slated to be expanded to include crucial issues like consumer grievances and a host of other issues, Mr Patel added.
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On the question of relaxation in the five years in operation and 20 aircraft fleet strength norm for domestic carriers to be able to fly abroad, Mr Patel said the ministry views that Indian carriers should command a 50% share of all in-bound and out-bound air traffic to and from the country.
Currently, Indian carriers have a 30% share of air traffic which stands further diluted if long haul routes are taken into consideration.
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