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Centre mulls changes in international flying norm

Last Updated 19 March 2015, 20:38 IST

 The Civil Aviation Ministry has made changes in its proposals for allowing domestic airlines to fly international routes after scrapping the contentious 5/20 rule.

According to existing rules, an airline can start international service only after five years of domestic operations and having 20 flights in its fleet. The government is planning to change it, as there is an overwhelming demand for changing this rule, which is popularly known as 5/20.

The Ministry had earlier come up with a new method in which airlines have to earn 200 Domestic Flying Credits (DFCs) for starting international operations.

However, the new proposal has made it a bit more stringent by increasing the DFC to 300. Also with 300 DFCs, they would be allowed only long haul flights. If they want to operate to routes that are less than 6,000 km, sources said, they would have to earn 600 DFCs.

The proposals will be now send for inter-ministerial consultation. The airlines have also been asked to respond to the new proposals by March 31.

The ministry took this decision after consultation with airlines and other stakeholders. Once the new rule is implemented, AirAsia India and Vistara will not have to wait for five years to start their international operations.

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(Published 19 March 2015, 20:38 IST)

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