Minister of State for Civil Aviation GM Siddeswara informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday that Government of India has granted ‘in principle’ approval for setting up of 15 Greenfield airports across the country.
The Minister also said that Airports Authority of India (AAI) has completed upgradation and development of the Bhubaneshwar airport. AAI has a plan for the development of Jharsuguda airport subject to handing over of the required land by State Government free of cost and free from all encumbrances.
Siddeswara informed that though the Government has not prepared any formal policy on aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, necessary constraints have been identified in consultation with the stakeholders which affect the growth of MRO activities.
In this regard, the Ministry of Finance has been requested to remove Service Tax on MRO work or provide a Service-tax holiday for ten years and Custom duty on import of consumables and tool-kits used by MROs as are applicable to airlines maintaining their own aircraft, along with providing faster custom clearance round-the-clock on all days.