Much awaited draft aviation policy likely to delayed further

The much awaited draft aviation policy is likely to be delayed further as certain provisions including easing of international flying norm for domestic carriers, are expected to be reworked.
The decision to rework some of the provisions was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the draft at a meeting yesterday, sources close to the development said.
At the meeting, which was also attended by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, among others, certain changes were suggested, sources said.
"The aviation ministry has been asked to rework many of the provisions in the aviation policy draft, including the one relating to easing of 5/20 norm," they said.

The existing norm allows only those Indian carriers fly abroad who have completed five years of domestic operations besides a fleet of 20 aircraft.
According to sources, a group of secretaries, including from Civil Aviation and Finance ministries, is expected to go though the revised draft.

Consequently, finalisation of the new draft aviation policy is now likely to take more time before being put up for public comments, sources said.
The Ministry was expecting to finalise the revised draft civil aviation policy by the first week of September.
Established players like Jet Airways and IndiGo are opposed to any change in the current norm, popularly known as 5/20 on the grounds that any such move would "vitiate" the existing level-playing field and only favour new entrants.

The existing norm allows only those Indian carriers fly abroad who have completed five years of domestic operations besides a fleet of 20 aircraft.