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The year may be coming to an end but…
 …the
excitement has just begun. The Asian subcontinent is poised to become a global
aviation hub with India emerging as a market not only for fleet and route expansion,
and development of airport infrastructure, but also as an MRO hub because of
its strategic location. This will not only save Indian carriers valuable foreign
exchange but also attract carriers from neighbouring countries, adding to the
exchequer's pocket. This we have highlighted in this issue's cover story.
It is also good to see the Chinese and Indian governments warming up to each
other by allowing China Eastern Airlines to operate direct flights from Kolkata
to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan in southwest of China.
Going further with the feeling of euphoria, Praful Patel, minister of state
(independent charge) for civil aviation, Government of India, has come down
heavily on delayed flights including national carrier, Air India, and expects
the new policy on civil aviation and the airport policy (which is expected to
be in place by the first half of 2008) to clearly mention the consequences the
airlines would face and also the benefits to passengers on such occasions.
Clearly, the next year is going to be filled with more excitement as we see
the upgraded Delhi and Bangalore airports opening up for business, route rationalisation
of the merged entities (Kingfisher Airlines-Deccan, Air India-Indian) to work
on synergies and expand to new routes and networks, growth of regional airlines
and greenfield airports and hopefully some solution for the rising ATF costs.
While going to the press, we were informed that the chairman and managing director
of NACIL was in discussion with the revenue secretary about finance-related
issues affecting the aviation industry. We hope something positive comes out
of this meeting.
Surely, the year has ended well for Jet Airways, Air Deccan, Air India and Singapore
Airlines - proud winners of the fifth Galileo Express TravelWorld Awards in
their respective categories. Patel, who was the chief guest at the awards ceremony,
said in his address: 'We are doing a great disservice to our country in every
single way when we don't have the right connectivity and emphasis. We have so
much to offer and if we exploited that even by a per cent or two, it would bring
about a huge transformation.'
I hope this thought finds substance in the coming year. Happy New Year!
Reema Sisodia
Associate Editor
editorial.etw@expressindia.com
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