Govt to set up aviation university, says Ravi

Updated on: Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The government is planning to set up a national aviation university with world-class facilities, Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said.

"To ensure that minimum standards of aviation skills are attained, a national aviation university is proposed to be set up with world-class facilities. We are preparing a project report for this facility," Ravi said at the 4th International Civil Aviation Negotiation Conference (ICAN 2011) here.

The conference, being held in the country for the first time, was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil.

He said the government is also mulling setting up an independent civil aviation authority for administration and regulation of aviation safety. Besides, an accident investigation committee is being set up on the lines of the National Transport Safety Board to assist in safety matters.

The thrust of the conference is on modernisation of Air Service Agreements (ASAs) by including certain safety clauses, code-sharing guidelines, security and tariff.

The meet was attended by 65 International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member nations and India would negotiate with around 40 nations to amend existing ASAs.

The Indian government is expected to take up with Swiss delegates the issue of ownership of Swiss International Airline. India's position is that the airline violates substantial ownership and effective control clauses in ASAs, as it is now controlled by German airline Lufthansa, however the Swiss government has rejected the charge.

Currently, India has bilateral ASAs with 108 countries and 72 foreign airlines are flying to the country, while three domestic carriers fly to 35 destinations in 25 countries.

According to aviation industry sources, domestic private carriers are lobbying with the government to allow them to introduce more flights to Oman, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. While countries like the UAE have been demanding that India allow additional seats.

Govt to set up aviation university, says Ravi

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