20 November, 2019 Cover.Indd
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88Written Answers to [RAJYA SABHA] Unstarred Questions Promoting airlines running in loss †331. SHRI RAM SHAKAL: Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state: (a) the number of airlines that have been shut down in the last three years and current year and the reasons therefor; (b) the plan of Government to promote the domestic and foreign aviation airline; (c) the details thereof; and (d) the steps taken by Government to promote airlines running in loss? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI): (a) Four Airlines have been shut down in last three years including current year. Details are as follows: 1. M/s LEPL Projects Limited (Air Costa): Air Operators Certificate (AOC) was suspended on 11.05.2017 due to non-availability of aircraft. 2. M/s Air Carnival Private Limited: AOC was suspended on 06.06.2017 due to non-availability of aircraft. 3. M/s Jet Airways (India) Limited has suspended their operations w.e.f. 17.04.2019 due to non-availability of funds. 4. M/s Jet Lite Limited has suspended their operations w.e.f. 17.04.2019 due to non-availability of funds. (b) to (d) Government is acutely conscious of financial difficulties faced by the Airline Companies. Accordingly, the Government has constantly been responding to industry conditions and undertaking specific measures to facilitate and enable growth of the sector. The major steps by this Ministry to help civil aviation include: I. Provide airport infrastructure through Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the private operators. II. Provide an efficient Air Navigation System in the country †Original notice of the question was received in Hindi. Written Answers to[20 November, 2019] Unstarred Questions 89 III. Regulate the aviation industry through Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure safety standards. IV. Coordinate with all stakeholders to resolve their issues. V. Provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and other concessions to selected airline operators under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) as per the scheme document. VI. Provide financial assistance to Air India as per the approved Plan. VII. Reduction of Central Excise Duty applicable on ATF from 14% to 11% w.e.f. 11th October 2018 and rationalization of Goods and Services Tax (GST) provisions, with a view to revive the airline industry. VIII. Rationalization of Category-I routes under Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) on the basis of criteria given in NCAP 2016. IX. The requirement for 5/20 is modified and all airlines can commence international operations provided that they deploy 20 aircraft or 20% of Total capacity (in terms of average number of seats on all departure put together), whichever is higher for domestic operations. X. Liberalization of domestic code share points in India within the framework of Air Service Agreements (ASA). XI. With a view to modernize existing airports so as to establish high standards and ease demand pressures on them, 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under automatic route has been allowed in brownfield airport projects. This would also facilitate the development of domestic aviation infrastructure. FDI for Scheduled Air Transport Service/ Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline has been allowed upto 49% under automatic route. For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), 100% FDI will continue to be allowed under automatic route. Foreign airlines would be allowed to invest in capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services up to the limit of 49% of their paid up capital. Such investment is subject to the condition, inter alia, that Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Operator's Permit would be granted only to a company the substantial ownership and effective control of which is vested in Indian nationals. 90Written Answers to [RAJYA SABHA] Unstarred Questions Each airline however, prepares its business plan on the basis of its own market assessment and liabilities. Mobilizing financial resources and ensuring efficient operations as per business plans are the responsibility of the airline. Government of India has no role in raising funds for private airline companies, as it is an internal matter of the airline. Revival of Air India 332. SHRI P. BHATTACHARYA: Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is taking any action to revive the Air India which is also known as Maharaja; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether Government has any plan to disinvest the Air India; and (d) if so, the details thereof along with reasons therefor? THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI): (a) to (d) The Government is committed to the disinvestment of Air India. In order to effectively prepare Air India for disinvestment, the Government prepared a plan to bring operational and financial efficiency in Air India. This Plan focuses on the financial and operational efficiencies so that substantial increase in revenue or cost saving could be achieved. Also, operational and financial performance parameters and milestones as fixed by the Government are regularly being reviewed as appropriate. Rogue or unregulated UAVs 333. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that an estimated over six lakh rogue or unregulated Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)/drones are in operation in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof and Government's reaction thereto; and (c) the details of steps taken or proposed to be taken by Government to counter against such illegal drones to avoid recent incidents like the lethal drone attack on.