Industry should avail opportunities than discuss rules: Rajan

With the Civil Aviation Ministry expected to finalise the much-awaited aviation policy next month, which will also decide the fate of existing norm for international operations by domestic airline, Tata Sons today said that industry should avail the opportunities than discussing rules.
"I would say let us all move on. Market has opportunity, competition should move on and we will also live on. It is not that we are winning every where. It is a challenging market. We have some very powerful competitors let every one give their best," Mukund Rajan, Director, Vistara Board told reporters here.
Rajan was talking to reporters after the opening of the Tata-SIA run airline's exclusive lounge for business class passengers and Club Vistara customers at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here today.

"Let us not get in to this rule or that rule and some one was obstructed here or there," Rajan said in an obvious reference to the fight between the old airlines and startup carriers over the 5/20 rule.
While the old airlines -- Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir, favours continuation of the rule, under which an Indian carrier should have minimum 5 years of domestic flying and at least 20 aircraft for going overseas, the two Tata Sons - invested carriers - Vistara and AirAsia India wants the norm to be done away with.
"These are not good tactics particularly for those who have succeeded to competition," Rajan said adding, "I am sure that the market will reward those who are truly committed to the customer interest."

The war of words over 5/20 norm broke out after Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata termed that moves (for continuation of 5/20 norm) "are reminiscent of the monopolistic pressures by entities with vested interests who fear competition."

"It is sad to see the incumbent airlines lobbying for protection and preferential treatment for themselves against the new airlines which have been formed in full compliance with prevailing government policy and providing air transport to Indian citizens...," Tata had said.
Ajay Singh, chairman of SpiceJet, who belongs to the faction that wants the 5/20 rule to stay, was quick to respond to this.

In a reply, Singh said he did not see anything wrong in new carriers being asked to "serve India" before being allowed to fly overseas.