PMO push to flying rights auction plan

Indian airlines oppose proposal as state-owned Gulf airlines would have unfair advantage

The government is yet again contemplating a plan to auction bilateral flying rights to international destinations within a 5,000-km radius of New Delhi. 

The idea was first mooted last year when the National Civil Aviation Policy was being framed; it was later referred to the Committee of Secretaries. It was put on the backburner earlier, after domestic airlines protested against it. 

However, now the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is said to be pushing for it. If the plan sees the light of day, airlines from the Persian Gulf, such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, would have to bid for flying rights