Bipin Shah   Self Employed
The civil aviation ministry has granted in-principle approval to scheduled airlines such as Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet for import of 375 aircraft for commercial operation. The jets would be inducted by various carriers in the next 15 years.

Following a capacity rationalisation exercise by airlines in the aftermath of economic downturn triggered by the collapse of American banking giant Lehman Brothers in 2008, domestic aviation companies have now started adding to their fleet on the back of strong growth in air traffic.

?From August 2009 the government has granted permission for import of 49 aircraft for scheduled air transport services. The approval for these aircraft is valid till one year,? civil aviation minister Praful Patel has informed Parliament.

Among various airlines Naresh Goyal-controlled Jet airways has sought permission to import 13 aircraft followed by budget carrier IndiGo. Air freight service provider Deccan Cargo and Aryan Cargo have also asked to induct eight and two jets respectively.

Bullish on air traffic growth in the country, American aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company this week said India would require 1,150 commercial jets worth $130 billion in the next 20 years.

?We went through the deepest recession in the history of aviation but now India?s recovery is one of the fastest. The domestic air traffic would grow to 50 million this year if the current trend continues,? Boeing India president Dinesh Keskar said. Domestic airlines flew nearly 44 million passengers in 2009.
Aug 9th 2010 01:19