Airlines get a week more to file response on international operation norms

The Indian Government have given one more week to domestic carriers to enable them to file their submission on its proposed new norms for international operations and revision of route dispersal guideline (RDG).

The government has proposed to replace the 5/20 rule which makes it mandatory for airlines to have five years of domestic operations and a 20 aircraft fleet to become eligible for flying international. It has also proposed to revise the RDG which makes it compulsory for domestic airlines to deploy a certain percentage of their capacity in under-served areas in the North East, J&K and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The FIA is against the proposals: "The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) on behalf of its member airlines strongly recommend that the current regime of 5/20 and RDG be continued as is, with minimal changes as recommended in the enclosed submission to ensure continued servicing of National Interests," FIA said in a letter to the Civil Aviation Ministry.