New civil aviation policy in final stage: Aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju

COIMBATORE: The much-awaited new civil aviation policy is in the advanced stage of finalisation, the Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Monday.

Speaking to journalists at the Coimbatore airport, while on his way to Ooty to participate in a function on Monday, Ashok said that the aviation ministry would place the draft policy online to get feedback from the public.

“The civil aviation policy would then come into effect after finalisation in 15 to 20 days time,” he said.

Replying to a query on enhancing international flight connectivity, the minister said that bilateral agreements are in place with several countries to operate international flights. “The airline companies should utilise these agreements to operate flights and improve connectivity” he said.  

On the prolonged delay in carrying out expansion works of the Coimbatore airport, Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that it is the responsibility of the state government to acquire land for airport expansion. “If the acquisition is done by the state, then the ministry will take up the expansion works,” he said.

Stating that the shoddy construction of Chennai airport to be a reason for its collapse of glass panes and false ceilings numerous times, the minister said that the airports in Goa

and Kolkata are also shoddy. “It is a scam that has happened across India and it is being probed,”he said.  

Earlier D. Nandakumar, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) gave a memorandum to the aviation minister

seeking inclusion of Coimbatore in the ‘Asian Air Transport Agreement’ for operation of flights by foreign airliners.

As many as 18 cities across India including Tiruchy have been included in the ‘Bilateral Traffic Rights’ to which airlines from Asian countries can operate.

“Coimbatore should also be included in the list. Though several foreign airliners are ready to operate their flights to Coimbatore, it could not be done as they do not have the Bilateral Traffic Rights from the Indian government,” Mr Nandakumar said.

Centre not averse to chopper services to Ooty: Gajapathi Raju
Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said on Monday that the Centre would consider introducing commercial helicopter service to Ooty if the state government sent a proposal in this regard.

Speaking to media persons here, Raju said that there are helicopter services to hill stations in certain states like West Bengal.  However, allotting required land for establishing heliport in hill stations and other such infrastructure for helicopter service is a state subject though licencing for aviation is with the Centre.  “So, it is up to the State to take a decision on this,” he said.

Stating that the Air India is still good and caters to the needs of air-travellers in the country and transporting lots of Indians around the world, he said steps would taken to further improve its services.

He said that a meeting is scheduled in New Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the issues related to airfare and other related matters.