Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju with SP’s Team (Chandrakanth, Neetu and Rajeev) in Paris

In an exclusive interaction with SP’s Aviation in Paris, India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that reforms in civil aviation would be stepped up as to realise India’s potential of becoming one of the largest civil aviation sectors in the world. Raju specifically mentioned regional connectivity, stating that there were new airlines coming up in the south and connectivity was improving. Air Pegasus, based out of Bengaluru, has connected cities in Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and we see interest in regional aviation increasing. There are many small airports which can support regional aircraft movement of the nearly 100 odd airports in the country which are operational, though the number of all kinds of airports is past 400. “I am ready to support anyone who wants to invest in regional aviation.”

While we have few international class airports, there is need to develop more airports, he said and mentioned that development of secondary airports is on the agenda of the government. He referred to the airport proposal in Navi Mumbai which is to come on marshy land, comparing it with Paris’ Versailles transforming the marshy land beautifully. We need to establish heliports too. There is one coming up in New Delhi and that should help general aviation.”

Tapping into MRO

Raju said he straightaway saw opportunity in developing MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) sector. Presently, airlines are taking their aircraft to Singapore, Dubai and even Sri Lanka, he said and commented ‘when Sri Lanka can have an established MRO sector, why we cant have it.” The government would support such activity as India has enormous engineering talent.

India being a federal structure, we need to get on board various states to initiate reforms which will benefit civil aviation. Many of the foreign entities are not aware of the federal structure. However, we will initiate reforms that would benefit the sector at large. “Some states have reduced sales tax on aviation turbine fuel and provided concessions for airport infrastructure development. I have spoken to Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister, and we should get some positive results with regard to tax reforms.”

On one year of the government

“From a hopeless economic situation, we have moved to a situation of hope. One year is not enough, but I agree it is neither a short period. The government has had success with facilitating opening up of bank accounts, the Atal Pension scheme, etc. We are taking steps in the right direction.”

Interactions at Paris

“The interaction I have had in Paris with many OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) is that they are lot more confident of India now. However, they will make appropriate decisions based on their business plans. It is for us to create a conducive ecosystem and we are in that process.”

5/20 Rule to go

Reiterating his stand on 5/20 rule (five years and 20 aircraft to fly on international routes), Raju said: “It has to go, but there is some opposition to the proposal. We will sort it out and soon announce a new policy which will support easy aircraft movement, both nationally and internationally. We have an open skies policy but nowhere in the world will you find such a rule.”

Tourism and air travel

Referring to how Paris had become an international destination, Raju said that synergies between tourism and transportation are imperative to each other’s growth. We need to go about efficiently. Most importantly, we should radically improve our hygiene. Once we keep our nation clean, we will get more international travellers. Modi’s ‘Swach Bharat’ (Clean India campaign) is a step in that direction.”

Airshow

On Paris International Air Show, which he was attending for the first time, Raju said it has been an impressive international event. “We should learn from such shows. We also should look at combining civil and military aspects in India to take it to greater heights. I will talk to Manohar Parrikar (Minister of Defence) on the possibilities of one show.”