NEW DELHI: The aviation ministry is about to launch a series of reforms, including eliminating all charges at regional airports, to provide relief to a sector jolted by the recent cut in air safety rating by US authorities.
A senior aviation ministry official said the government will waive all charges related to parking, security, navigation and landing at regional airports. Preliminary estimates suggest that this action will cut the annual expenses of airlines by 10%, said the official who did not want to be named.
The government will also allow code sharing agreements between scheduled airlines and non-scheduled operators (charter planes, helicopters, etc), an arrangement that allows fliers to enjoy seamless travel on the aircraft of two or more carriers.
This arrangement will facilitate flights by non-scheduled operators only on routes where scheduled airlines are absent.
A review of the route dispersal guidelines that require scheduled airlines to deploy at least 10% of their capacity to the North East region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep to enhance connectivity to these regions too is in the works. Airlines will be permitted to fly in only those routes within these regions that make money.
The government will also create a corporation to oversee air navigation services, a function currently performed by Airports Authority of India (AAI). An air navigation services bill is being prepared, the official said, adding that the ministry will revisit the Airport Authority of India Act to check for legal obstacles.
The AAI has to manage around 100 airports in India and separating air navigation services from its duty roster is aimed at improving both tasks. All these reforms will be introduced in two-three weeks, said the official.
The United States Federal Aviation Administration revised India's air safety oversight ranking from '1' to '2' on January 31 due to the failure of aviation regulator DGCA to hire enough officials to oversee the safe running of flights. The action prevents Air India and Jet AirwaysBSE -0.11 % from increasing flights, partner American airlines or use planes other than those they are now flying, and hampers the expansion efforts of other Indian carriers in other overseas markets.
On Friday, the DGCA issued a circular to hire flight inspectors who will be paid up to Rs 7 lakh a month as it looks to quickly regain the Category 1 rating. Separately, the DGCA will grant an air operator's permit to AirAsia India on February 15, said the official. On January 13, a joint venture between Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd and the Tatas, was to receive the permit.
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