A new report from Tata SIA Airlines, Maximising the contribution of aviation to the Indian Economy, has determined that 70% of international traffic to and from India opt for international carriers not Indian carriers.
"The fact that 70 per cent people flying in and out of India opt for international airlines is something that is a concern for us. This is primarily because the Indian carriers have not been able to provide flight options in the international carrier," said Mukund Rajan, Director at Vistara, a Tata-SIA joint venture company.
The report has been shared with the civil aviation ministry, and other stakeholders, including airlines.
The report seems like an attempt to force the government to remove the 5/20 rule, which requires Indian carriers to complete five years of domestic service and have a fleet of 20 aircraft before they begin international flights. The report also calls for the abolition of sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) or jet fuel, which it says would stimulate air travel by 9% by reducing airlines costs by up to 20% that can be transferred to customers.