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Government of India
Ministry of Civil Aviation
10-December-2010 15:58 IST
Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Civil Aviation Meets
The Minister Announces setting up of Civil Aviation Security Advisory Council
The meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Civil Aviation was held here today under t

 

The meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Civil Aviation was held here today under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel.   

 

Welcoming the Members the Chairperson briefed them about the steep rise in air fares by all airlines which has become an engaging issue for the Ministry of Civil Aviation.  The Ministry alongwith the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a number of steps recently to ensure that the fare were not excessive and there was transparency in the manner in which the tickets were priced.  The Minister said that though the Government did not regulate fares in this de-regulated sector, the fact that some fares were noted to be excessive was an issue of concern which was being addressed.  He said that constant and strict vigil would be continued to be kept on the air fares of airlines across the sector.  The Minister added that there was a huge growth coming in the Indian Aviation Sector in the very immediate future which would have to be managed in a safe, secure and transparent manner.

 

The Minister informed the Members that a lot of work was also being done on the safety and security aspect of the Sector.  In this context, he announced that the Ministry would soon set up a Civil Aviation Security Advisory Council along the lines of the recently set up Civil Aviation Economic Advisory Council (CAEAC) and Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC).  This was being done because security is one of the most important aspect of civil aviation and had to be given due importance with contribution from all stakeholders.

 

Shri Patel informed the Committee that India has re-established its position as a major emerging aviation force in the world by being elected to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council in the number three position way ahead of major countries like UK, USA and France. 

 

The Members also raised a number of issues at the meeting including development of a number of non-metro airports, height regulation of buildings near airports, facilitation of Members of Parliament at airports, multiple airports in metros like Delhi, private Greenfield Airports, shortage of helicopter pilots, Rohini Heliport in New Delhi, Air India’s falling market shares, Air India’s losses, crew position in Air India, management of Air India Express etc.

 

The Members cutting across party-lines congratulated the Minister and appreciated his pro-active role in the issue of the steep fares across sector in airlines.  They also lauded the Minister for his prompt action regarding the Members suggestions on allowing the use of mobile phones by passengers in the aircraft once the aircraft exits the active runway after landing.

 

Responding to some of the issues raised by the Members and to lay emphasize on passenger related amenities, the Minister directed the DGCA to issue immediate regulation regarding making the provision of atleast one stretcher compulsory on every commercial scheduled flight out of the Leh Airport in Jammu and Kashmir for the ill or the injured.  Responding to the issue of shortage of helicopter pilots, he said that the entire set of rules for conversion from pilot license for aeroplanes to pilot license for helicopters was in the advance stage of amendments which will enable Commercial Pilot License (CPL) holders to convert their licenses to fly helicopters.  This would help in meeting the shortage of helicopter pilots in the country.  The Minister also directed that passenger friendly buses of international standards be provided by all airlines and airport operators to ferry passengers inside the airport.

 

The meeting was attended by Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Shri Mithlesh Kumar, Shri Dilip Gandhi, Shri Hassan Khan, Shri P.C. Chacko, Shri Manicka Tagore and Shri Naveen Jindal from Lok Sabha and Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Shri Avtar Singh Karimpuri, Shri Paul Manoj Pandian and Shri Avinash Rai Khanna from Rajya Sabha.     

 

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MC/MK