Separate norms for regional carriers: Praful Patel

Mumbai: The government is set to formulate a set of policies for regional airlines that would be different from those of national airlines, union civil aviation minister, Praful Patel has said. He also said that existing scheduled carriers could not pitch for regional-airline status.

He said, "The government will formulate new norms for operators who want to secure permission to run regional airlines."

He added, "A policy in this regard is yet to be finalised. The licences given for regional carriers will be distinct from those given to national carriers."
Patel was speaking on the sidelines of an aviation seminar organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

According to Patel, the government was yet to work out the modalities on regional carriers, on whether they would be allowed to operate from "one metro and surrounding regional cities" or whether the operating permits would be "state-wise".

Patel also said that a conclave of chief ministers, the prime minister, the finance minister and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, would be convened soon, and would address issues related to infrastructure constraints and procedural delays, if any, in setting up regional airlines.

The conclave would also discuss setting up private merchant airports and making airstrips in various states operational.