Aviation policy: Raju says minor issues need to be ironed out

The much-awaited draft national civil aviation policy will be placed before the Cabinet for its approval as soon as a couple of "minor issues" are ironed out, Union Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said.
Civil Aviation Minister Raju, however, did not assign any particular time line for the policy roll-out.
"We have had extensive discussions. There are two-three minor issues which are being ironed out right now, as soon as they are ironed out, (the policy) will be circulated," Raju said on the sidelines of an aviation conference here.
The draft civil aviation policy was unveiled on October 30 last year. Comments on the draft policy were sought till November 30, 2015.

"The government has a procedure, we take inter-department consultations (before giving the policy a final shape)," Raju said.
The draft policy focuses on boosting regional connectivity apart from proposals for various tax sops and over 50 per cent FDI for the Indian carriers.
The policy also moots setting up of no-frills airports and providing viability gap funding for airlines for regional connectivity. Further, fare would be capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flight under the regional connectivity scheme for places that are currently not covered.