Govt moves Cabinet note on aviation FDI

The Cabinet was likely to soon take a decision on a proposal to allow foreign airlines to pick up stake in domestic carriers, most of which are facing a financial crisis, a senior government official said.

“We have moved a Cabinet note for this ... Soon they will take up the issue,” the official said.However, the official declined to disclose further details.

The cash-crunch Indian airlines are facing several problems including rising fuel prices and strong competition. Currently, India does not permit foreign airlines to buy stake in domestic airlines, although foreign investors are allowed to hold 49 per cent.

Accepting a major demand of the cash-strapped aviation industry, the government on January 17 decided to launch the process to allow foreign airlines to pick 49 per cent stake in Indian carriers.

India's civil aviation sector grew at 18.5 per cent annually in the last seven years and the government has taken various steps to resolve the woes faced by airline industry, the Economic Survey for 2011-12 had said.