Continue with existing norms on international ops: FIA

FIA, an umbrella organisation of Indian air carriers, today strongly favoured continuation of the existing norms for domestic airlines wanting to fly abroad even as Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma said that no decision was taken on the issue.
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which filed its response to the new proposed norms on international operations, said that the existing rules, which make it mandatory for local airlines to first operate within the country for five year and also maintain 20 planes in its fleet, serve "national interest" and play an important part in the "socio-economic development" of the country.

"...It is, therefore, strongly recommended that the current regime of 5/20 (rule) and Route Dispersal Guideline (RDG) be continued with minimal changes as recommended (by the FIA) for servicing the national interest," the Federation said in its response submitted to the Civil Aviation Ministry.
As per the new proposed policy, an airline will be allowed to go overseas if it has accrued two billion domestic flying credits (DFCs), has five planes in the fleet and an accident- free, one-year record.
National carrier Air India, private carriers Jet Airways, GoAir, IndiGo and SpiceJet are the FIA members. However, new entrants Vistara, which launched its operations early this month, and AirAsia India, which launched its services in the country last June, are still not part of the umbrella body.

"Further, the RDGs require to evolve into a VGF model rather than becoming a constraint on the airlines of India so that the airline industry can deliver greater socio-economic impact where it is required and moves towards viability," the FIA said.
Also, it should ensure that the responsibility for domestic connectivity is equitably shared by all airlines as well as other important industry stakeholders, it said.
"No decision has been taken on amending the 5/20 rule," Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of an "Interaction between Tourism and Airlines," organised by the Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Civil Aviation in association with Federation of Association in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH).