‘Aviation rule defies logic

THE HINDU,21MAR2015

AirAsia unveils its fourth aircraft with a livery dedicated to JRD Tata

The new aviation rules will hamper the economic activity in the country and lead to lesser jobs, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said here on Saturday.

He observed that the country’s skies should be opened up without any restrictive policies so as to tap the immense potential of domestic and international aviation markets. Mr. Tony expressed his disappointment over the existing 5/20 rule. According to the rule, domestic operators can only fly international if they have five flying years and a fleet of 20 aircraft, and also its proposed replacement which requires accumulating credits based on their local flying hours and destination.

“We do not see any logic behind these rules. Much more investment is needed in India as the number of international flights is very less. India needs more connectivity too. Nowhere in the world have we seen such a rule. It is either a safe airline or not a safe airline, and there is no difference between flying domestic and international,” he said,

Mr. Tony was here for the unveiling of AirAsia’s fourth aircraft, with a livery dedicated to JRD Tata, and christened as ‘The Pioneer’, as a mark of respect to the founder of the erstwhile Tata Airlines.

The livery of the aircraft dons an image of JRD Tata with a Puss Moth, the aircraft he flew on October 15, 1932. He informed that the team of AirAsia India would wait for clarity on regulations and decide on major expansion plans. The top management said that they would add two more aircraft by April and their focus would continue to be new and underserved cities.

“We have not given up and want to persuade the powers-to-be to take a favourable decision. The government should help entrepreneurs, and I do not believe this rule makes it easier. The incumbent airline operators seem to have a bigger voice than us since they are influencing the rules,” he said.

AirAsia India non-Executive Chairman S. Ramadorai said the government should encourage tourism by initiating steps for improved connectivity since it could do wonders for local employment. Drawing a parallel with the IT industry, he said the aviation sector would flourish only when equal opportunity was provided for all the stakeholders and there was a competitive spirit.