The World Bank has ranked India 134 of 189 in ‘ease of doing business’ and has projected that it would move up to 130 next year. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to help sustain the economic reforms and also put the country on accelerated economic development.

The revised draft National Civil Aviation Policy is one such definitive step in realising the potential of the aviation sector, even though it may need fine-tuning based on industry inputs. The government has begun well on this note, particularly with its emphasis on enhancing regional connectivity which, if it fructifies, will open up many more business opportunities. The draft Civil Aviation Policy is expected to come up before the Cabinet in December, hopefully with further corrections as sought by the industry.

The regional airlines like Air Costa and Air Pegasus have given a mixed response. While welcoming the general direction of the policy, they have sought removal of the cap on ticket pricing which the Ministry has pegged at Rs. 2,500 per passenger per hour flight and want that ticket pricing should be based on market conditions.

Another aspect of the policy is that it is giving due importance to developing cargo business, considering that it is a critical element in economic growth. The policy indicates the need for infrastructure creation such as warehouses, cold storage chains, etc, to facilitate efficient movement of goods.

With regard to foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence, which has been raised from 26 per cent to 49 per cent, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are of the view that whether it is 26 or 49 does not really matter as with a minority stake, they will not be able to give direction to the company or bring in the latest of technologies. Where large investments with transfer of high-end technology is involved, FDI of 50 per cent or higher should also be permitted under the “Automatic Route” to provide the desired level of incentive for global aerospace majors.

As for general aviation and business aviation is concerned, the hurdles are that many more and we have a first-hand account of the harrowing experience one goes through in acquiring an aircraft in India. Rohit Kapur, Managing Director of Arrow Aircraft and former President of Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), has talked about his experience, which many would identify with, of how acquiring an aircraft is akin to navigating a minefield.

Much more needs to be done by way of appropriate changes in policy, simplification of procedures through the introduction of single-window clearance, removal of bureaucratic impediments and red tape – all with the aim of making it easier to set up and conduct business in India. There is certainly the need to reduce the multiple points of control as each of these has the potential to become a point of corruption.

When on business aviation, the iconic business event – National Business Aviation Association conference and exhibition which concluded in Las Vegas recently – was a resounding success as the segment is hoping to break new ground in emerging markets in the near future. Similarly, the recently concluded Dubai Airshow, said to be the fastest growing aerospace exhibition, has indicated how the Middle East is becoming a major hub of aviation industry, thanks to its location on the East-West axis.

On the military front, Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd) has analysed the King Air 350 aircraft and its capabilities as a special mission aircraft. Away from the ‘small is big’ aircraft, we have Air Marshal Pandey reporting on the air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria, in the aftermath of the terror attacks in Paris.

On a happier note, we have coverage of the historic flight of Tracey Curtis-Taylor from London to Sydney on a biplane, a truly awe-inspiring journey by a woman who is known for breaking records.

Happy reading !