Indian aviation sector is reviving: Ajit Singh

Mumbai (IANS): Various policy measures initiated by the government for the civil aviation sector have begun to yield results and the airline industry in India is witnessing a revival, union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on Sunday. On account of these policies, the general aviation business would emerge as a key driver of regional connectivity and economic development, he said. He cited the recent examples of the Tata-Air Asia proposal to float a joint venture private airline and the interest evinced by Etihaad as examples of the growing business confidence in the Indian civil aviation sector. Addressing the 11th Routes Asia Conference which has attracted 160 delegates from 88 airlines around the world, Ajit Singh asserted that the 49 percent FDI in aviation was "the single most important policy decision" which will transform the country's civil aviation scenario. In order to boost international air travel, the government has liberalised grant of traffic rights to Indian carriers. "The new traffic rights have opened up several new international sectors and increased the traffic entitlements of our carriers by approximately 60 percent," the minister said.