Domestic carriers may fly farther

India's private airlines would soon fly to more international destinations, including Europe, with the Civil Aviation Ministry seeking the approval of the Prime Minister's Office for the proposal.

The move would allow carriers like Jet Airways, Air Sahara and Air Deccan to fly to any global destination.

In the initial phase, the carriers would be allowed to fly to Asean countries and some European destinations. Currently, domestic private carriers are permitted to fly to Saarc countries only.

Sources said the ministry would move a proposal before the Cabinet soon, seeking to open more international routes to domestic private carriers.

"A decision will be taken at the Cabinet's direction. Earlier, there was a proposal to make this move a part of the Civil Aviation Policy. It will now come as a separate proposal," said a senior government official.

Sources said Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had taken up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The government was of the view that more flights should be allowed on routes with scope for additional traffic and trade.

Pointing out that the private carriers had sought permission to fly to more international routes, the official said the national carriers were unable to utilise more than a third of the available bilateral entitlements.

The government felt that as a result, international carriers were cornering a large chunk of the traffic to and from India.