News
ATF hike in offing
21 Nov 2007; Economic Times
NEW DELHI: Cost of air travel within the country is all set to go up once again as airlines are bracing up for another hike in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices on December 1. The two options under consideration are a hike in basic fare or another increase in fuel surcharge which is already hovering at Rs1,350. Either way, cost of air travel would increase by Rs.200 or at least Rs150 per sector for economy class travel between metro cities.
Oil cos told to consider new jet fuel discounts
HT Mint; 19 Nov 2007
Mumbai / Delhi: Looking to ease soaring fuel costs and related passenger surcharges, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas has asked government-owned oil marketing companies to consider offering new discounts on jet fuel prices to India's domestic airlines, which have collectively reported a loss of $500 million (Rs2,172 crore) in 2006-07.
Efforts on to lower fuel losses in aviation sector
Times of India; 5 Nov 2007
NEW DELHI: After the auto industry, the government has decided to investigate fuel losses in the aviation sector. The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) has commissioned the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) and the National Aeronautical Limited (NAL) to study the Bangalore and Delhi airports to find ways of increasing fuel efficiency in the aviation sector.
Patel wants end to PSU oil cos' ATF monopoly
Economic Times; 29 Oct 2007
NEW DELHI: The aviation turbine fuel (ATF) market, till now the monopoly of public sector oil companies, could soon witness competition as the ministry of civil aviation has urged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop common fuel infrastructure at airports and enable private oil retailers, such as Reliance and Essar, to enter the fray. The ministry has said throughput charge should not be the basis for awarding contracts to oil companies for supplying the fuel.
Worries, hopes at the flight deck
HT Mint; 26 October 2007
The chief executives of Indian airlines are worried that infrastructure constraints will crimp India's aviation boom
The chief executives of Indian airlines are worried that infrastructure constraints, especially at airports, will crimp India's aviation boom. This is among the findings of a CEO poll conducted by the Federation of Indian Airlines, an industry lobby group. Top representatives of local carriers also said they are concerned about current regulatory guidelines and outdated rules.
Airline companies bullish on growth: FIA poll
Economic Times; 26 October 2007
NEW DELHI: Despite the huge blobs of red ink splattered across their balance sheets, Indian airline companies are bullish on growth, infrastructure upgradation and potential for profitability. A snap poll by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) - the first by the industry association - highlights optimism among airline chief executives, probably encouraged by the recent consolidation, and strong belief in the Indian growth story.
Boom in domestic aviation will continue for at least a year more
Hindu Business Line; 26 October 2007
New Delhi, Oct 25: The boom in the domestic airline industry will continue for at least another one year with passenger traffic likely to grow at 20-30 per cent. This is the opinion of more than 60 per cent of the chief executive officers who participated in a snap poll conducted by the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA).
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102652171000.htm
Ministry mulls CMs' meet on aviation in December
Hindu Business Line; New Delhi, Oct 22
The Ministry of Civil Aviation proposes to hold a meeting of chief ministers in mid-December to discuss the problems faced by the civil aviation sector."The Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, has already spoken to the Prime Minister about the conference. We have asked the newly set up Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) to flag aviation related issues which concern State governments such as taxes imposed on the sector," the Secretary Civil Aviation, Mr Ashok Chawla, told newspersons after a meeting with airline chief executives officers.
Reliance entry could see jet fuel prices fall
HT Mint; 5 Oct 2007
Mumbai: The new company that encompasses Air India and Indian (Airlines) is hoping to pare its hefty aviation fuel costs by about 10%, starting November, by Reliance opening up a supply tender, for the first time, to a private supplier: Industries Ltd.
Airlines back DGCA in dispute with engineers
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com, New Delhi
NEW DELHI: Airlines now want to bat for the regulator - Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) - whose decision to allow pilots to undertake transit checks of aircraft has been challenged in court by the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) associations.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Govt_to_formulate_ manpower_road_map_for_aviation_sector/articleshow/2328137.cms
Govt to formulate manpower road map for aviation sector
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com, New Delhi
NEW DELHI: To identify HR challenges faced by the rapid growth in the aviation sector, the government has set the ball rolling to draw up an aviation sector manpower plan for the next 20 years.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Govt_to_formulate_ manpower_road_map_for_aviation_sector/articleshow/2328137.cms
New route dispersal norms to take wings
economictimes.indiatimes.com, New Delhi
The government is considering an overhaul of the route dispersal guidelines (RDG) that mandate airlines to fly unviable routes connecting cities in the north-eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/New_route_dispersal_norms_to_take_wings/articleshow/2078305.cms
Ignored by FM, aviation pins hopes on tourism
Buisness Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=276332
Govt may let airlines hedge fuel price risk
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=1&autono=275859&tab=r
Airlines want private cos to supply ATF
Economic Times - India
Indian airlines set for consolidation as losses pile up, survey says
Pacific Aviation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. ...
http://au.biz.yahoo.com/070211/33/13ejd.html
Thulasidas pilots extensions of exemption on aircraft lease
Financial Express - Bombay,India
The civil aviation ministry and the *federation* of *Indian airlines* had sought extension of exemption of tax on lease rentals on aircraft under Section 10 *...*
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=155442
The Pioneer > Home
In the run up to the Budget 2007-2008, *Indian* carriers under the umbrella organisation of *Federation of Indian Airlines* (FIA), have sought tax exemption on *...*
"http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=business&file_
name=busi2.txt&counter_img=2"
Interest on ECBs, lease rentals to be taxed, too
Financial Express - Bombay,India
As reported by FE on January 3, the civil aviation ministry and the Federation of Indian Airlines had sought extension of the exemption of tax on lease ... See all stories on this topic
Airlines want private cos to supply ATF
Economic Times - India
In their suggestions submitted to the finance, petroleum & natural gas and civil aviation ministries, the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has argued ...
Indian airlines set for consolidation as losses pile up, survey says
... Pacific Aviation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. ... Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Air Sahara have been joined by Air ...
New route dispersal norms to take wings
The government is considering an overhaul of the route dispersal guidelines (RDG) that mandate airlines to fly unviable routes connecting cities in the north-eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The review may involve re-categorisation of 25-odd cities, changing the geographical spread of the RDG. Domestic airlines have been seeking relief in terms of the amount of mandatory flying required to meet the guidelines.
FIA welcomes policy to allow hedging on ATF for domestic ops
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), today welcomed the announcement by the RBI governor to allow hedging of ATF by the Airlines on their domestic purchases.
Air Deccan denies allegations made by CNN IBN report
Recent reports on CNN IBN have been "manufactured" to create "sensational journalism". The self proclaimed expose' by CNN IBN is based on limited knowledge, information and lacks any balanced approach. Air Deccan calls for CNN IBN to withdraw all slanderous allegations that Air Deccan overbook. Air Deccan will be conducting an independent investigation to publicly dispute that Air Deccan or its employees have misled customers or is involved in any scam of overbooking.
Cost of congestion
Confronted with a congestion of flights during peak hour at the New Delhi and Mumbai airports, the Government has decided not to allow any new flights in that slot for the next seven months. This is akin to the response of passengers in an unreserved, crowded rail coach. Faced with the prospect of many more people trying to get in, they simply bolt the door. For the Civil Aviation Ministry, the ban is the easy and immediate way out of the problem, but one that is terribly wrong on those passengers who prefer flying in the morning rather than at midday, as also the new airlines which ought to have no less a right to serve them.
Airlines, ministry urge panel for action on high ATF taxes
NEW DELHI: All the airlines companies, backed by the civil aviation ministry, are planning to urge the empowered committee of state finance ministers to pursue states for reducing tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Currently, sales tax imposed by states on ATF varies between 4% and 39%.
FIA Launches its Airline industry Website
The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) announced the launch of its website www.fiaindia.in, for the Indian Airline industry.
Airlines unite against airport peak hour charges
A month after he had taken over the top bureaucrat's job at the ministry of civil aviation, secretary Ashok Chawla agreed to meet a small group of journalists at his office.