Early decision on fleet acquisition, airports privatisation likely

NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday indicated an early decision on the proposals of fleet acquisition by Air India and Indian Airlines as well as of privatisating the four metro airports.
At an international conference on aviation and tourism here today, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said "quick decisions" on aviation and tourism should not only be taken but implemented also, while Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said his ministry had already sent the fleet acquisition proposals of the two airlines to the Cabinet and will be sending the proposal on airport privatisation next week.
Emphasising that "we cannot afford to move leisurely" in matters relating to the two sectors and IT, Advani said "we have to take decisions without delay. In these matters, we should see that quick decisions are not only taken, but implemented also".
He also said that in the two areas of civil aviation and tourism "an integrated policy is imperative" to synergise the potentials of both sectors. It was also necessary to synergise the efforts of government and the people and the private sector.