This refers to the editorial, “let’s fly high, fly cheap” (June 17). The new aviation policy should warm the cockles of the heart of the so-called economic reformists. Planes that fly only on domestic routes lie idle at night. Planes flying abroad can fill their tanks in other countries where aviation fuel is relatively cheaper. All new airlines, including Tata Group joint ventures, AirAsia India (with AirAsia) and Air Vistara (with Singapore Airlines), have been keen to fly abroad. Older ones, such as IndiGo, Jet Airways and SpiceJet, with rights to fly international, had opposed a relaxation of the eligibility.
While increased competition that the new policy encourages is welcome, the future of Air India has not been thought through. If fares skyrocket, middle class passengers will return to trains and the huge investment made in airline business and infrastructure will go idle, if not bust. No lessons have been learnt from the Kingfisher collapse. To avoid such situations, the Government must draw a line on its role and leave this business to the business people.