FDI in civil aviation on cards
14 Jan 2009
The union government may allow foreign airlines to pick up a minority stake in domestic airlines in a bid to shore up the civil aviation sector, which has been badly hit by the global economic slowdown and consequent low volume of passengers.
Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel told reporters in New Delhi that the union cabinet would decide on the policy of allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector. "There is no clarity on the issue. This is one of the proposals which can be considered," he said. At present, foreign companies are barred from direct or indirect investment in the sector.
Security
In the wake of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has drawn up plans to increase security at airports and other key areas of the sector. Patel said that the union home ministry and BCAS were in favour of providing foolproof security, "though several processes are not very user-friendly".
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