Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Monday took on Ratan Tata for accusing older airlines of opposing any change in a rule which permits Indian carriers to fly abroad, saying he was surprised that the top industrialist was advising the Government while himself being “an interested party”.
“I am surprised to see Mr Tata’s tweet that older airlines are lobbying against a change in the 5/20 rule. While he is offering advice to the Government to change the (civil aviation) policy, he himself is directly an interested party in the two new carriers,” he said.
“It is further surprising to see that he has said that the new airlines were formed in compliance with the prevailing policy. Then what is the need to change the policy mid-way,” the senior NCP leader told the news agency.
Hitting out at older carriers, Tata had yesterday accused them of lobbying and using “monopolistic pressures” to retain preferential treatment under the controversial 5/20 rule that restricts overseas flying by new airlines.
AirAsia India and Vistara - two airlines operated by the Tatas through joint ventures - are currently ineligible to fly overseas under the 5/20 norm.