Modi to make aam aadmi’s dream of flying come true

The Narendra Modi government seems to be trying its best to fulfill the dreams of India’s aam aadmi. As per a recent report by Economics Times, the forthcoming civil aviation policy is mulling making the dreams of flying a reality for the middle class.

On the sidelines of an event on aviation day, G Asok Kumar, joint secretary in the civil aviation ministry said that the new policy will seek to ensure one air journey per year. However, no means and ways were disclosed by the minister.

The new secretary of the aviation ministry RN Choubey is reframing the policies and the changed policies, reportedly, will be available by the end of this month.

At the event, issues like flight operations, route dispersal guidelines were also raised. "I can assure you that something is being done to remove 5/20 and will be part of the aviation policy but RDG is going to stay," informed Choubey after a query raised by Vistara CEO Phee Teik Yeoh for abolition of the rule mandating five years of domestic operations and fleet of 20 aircraft for airlines to fly international.

The 5/20 rule however, was opposed by IATA CEO Tony Tyler. "The problem with such regulations is that by creating distortions to the free market, they influence long-term decisions made by airlines. And so, once they are imposed, they become very difficult to change as circumstances evolve, because doing so can't help being unfair to some or other key industry player," Tyler said in his speech.

Image: indiatimes