New civil aviation policy likely by next week

Aviation Ministry is hopeful of coming out with a new policy next week with a focus to make the country an international hub for air transport.
"The new civil aviation policy is an intent of larger vision. The policy will be finalised by mid-February," Civil Aviation Joint Secretary Anil Srivastava told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing Capa summit here.
He said the new policy will focus on developing six metro airports as civil aviation hubs and also touch many other vexed issues.
Work is also underway to review the '5/20 rules' which are the statutes governing whether a carrier can fly international, he said.

Existing players have come out against the proposal saying if done it will give undue advantages to the new players--Air Asia India and Vistara--promoted by the Tatas and Singapore Airlines.
The ministry is evaluating several proposals given by the airlines in this respect, which includes both scrapping as well as retaining the rule, Srivastava said. At present, a domestic carrier needs to complete five years of domestic operations and should possess 20 aircraft to qualify for flying abroad.
However, no decision has been taken on the same, Srivastava said, adding that there was no decision taken yet on bilateral talks as well.

Srivastava said the ministry is also looking to ease taxes on business jets.