New Aviation Policy Draft: Cheaper Air Tickets
NEW DELHI: Incentives to fly to small towns at affordable costs and easing the norms for domestic carriers to operate services abroad are some of the highlights of the new draft aviation policy, released on Friday for feedback before finalisation.
The primary aim of the policy is to ensure a tariff of no more than Rs. 2,500 per ticket for each flying-hour, the aviation ministry said.
But a 2 per cent levy on all domestic and international tickets to raise funds for boosting regional air connectivity is also expected to make air travel expensive.
“A lot of consultation has taken place. We invite suggestions from stakeholders and public – since it involves the people of India. After all those suggestions come in, we will look into it,” Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju said.
“The policy will also have a fixed period of existence, so that Industry can plan in advance. That is the idea,” the minister said.”The basic behind of National Civil Aviation Policy is to take flying to the masses,” Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey said, adding that operators will get incentives, including overall fuel costs, to fly to smaller towns.
He said that upgrading unused air strips into no-frills airports at a cost of about Rs. 50 crore each was one of the main goals.”The government expects about Rs. 1,500 crore annually from charging 2 per cent levy ” Mr Choubey said.
The policy also aims for better regional connectivity, easing of norms for flying abroad, further liberalisation in open skies regime, development of cargo business, chopper services, attracting investments in maintenance sector, ground handling and security.
