Aviation policy meet 'inconclusive'

The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to clear the new civil aviation policy has decided to meet again in this session of Parliament as its short meeting today remained "inconclusive."

The 10-member GoM chaired by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee attended a presentation on the key features of the proposed policy by Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Chawla, which among other things seeks lowering the eligibility criteria for Indian carriers to fly on international routes, from the existing five years to three years. The move would allow many Indian private carriers, including Air Deccan, Kingfisher and SpiceJet, to fly abroad.

In the June 15 Cabinet meeting, at least eight Cabinet ministers opposed the policy. Pranab Mukherjee was believed to have raised concerns over air traffic congestion.