FICCI to raise with Govt issues related to civil aviation

Taxation issues relating to the civil aviation sector like sales tax on jet fuel are likely to be raised with the government by industry body FICCI.

Besides sales tax on aviation turbine fuel, the FICCI's newly-created committee on aviation could also raise issues concerning import duties on aircraft for private use and those on spare parts and other aviation items meant for MRO (Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul) organisations.

"We will discuss among ourselves and then finalise what issues should be taken up with the government," Dinesh Keskar, Chairman of the committee, told reporters here after its first meeting.

The FICCI panel, which has representatives from both public and private sector aviation bodies and top former officials, also discussed aviation safety issues and how to further strengthen the various safety mechanisms collectively.

Problems of helicopters and general aviation were also raised at today's meet. The issues ranged from development of heliports or roof-top helipads and heli-corridors to duties on import of aircraft for general aviation or private use, Keskar, who was accompanied by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited chief R K Tyagi and former chief of DGCA Kanu Gohain, said.

Keskar said a FICCI delegation would be participating in the upcoming Farnborough Airshow in the UK in the middle of next month to develop ties between the Indian and the British aviation industry.