The Parliamentary Consultative Committee on Civil Aviation met todiscuss issues relating to the Civil Aviation Sector. Welcoming theMembers the Chairperson of the Committee, the Union Minister for CivilAviation, Praful Patel observed that the aviation industry had gonethrough a critical phase in the past two years. He briefed the Memberson the policies of the Government and the problems of the sector. Patelremarked that self-regulation by airlines to face the economic crunchhad brought about reduced capacity. However, airlines are registeringgrowth once again and more new flights to different parts of thecountry is expected to start soon.
The Aviation Minister made a special mention about the problemsbeing faced by Air India. Patel said that the Government is committedto ensure that the national carrier does well and turns around. Heensured the Members that the next meeting of this Committee would focuson Air India – a detailed presentation would be met to the Members onthe problems of Air India and plans to turnaround the company, so thatthe Members could give their suggestions in this regard.
Cutting across party lines, Members expressed appreciation of themodernization and upgradation of airports across the country. Besides,Members raised various important issues regarding the sector, includinggrowth of cargo operations in the country, shortage of air trafficcontrollers, corporatisation of ATC, helicopter operations,connectivity to remote areas like North-East, Leh and Andaman &Nicobar islands, pilot training, naming of airports across the country,facilities of Members of Parliament at airports, status of flying clubsacross the country, use of cell phones in aircraft, airport entrypasses, use of body scanners at airports, User Development Fees atairports, and most importantly the crisis situation in Air India.
In the course of the meeting, the Aviation Minister announced thatthe Standard Operation Procedure for helicopter operations would benotified by 15th March, 2010.