CONTINUING DOUBLE digit growth in domestic air travel in India is resulting in a scramble for more aircraft and further private airline authorisations. India's civil-aviation ministry has given permission for the import of between 12 and 15 new aircraft a year, which it believes will be sufficient to meet the annual 12-15% growth in passenger traffic.
Sahara India Airlines, is being allowed to import two more Boeing 737s, to add to the three 737-200s it now operates, while Archana Airways, will be increasing its turboprop fleet, by between four and eight aircraft and Dornier 328 operator VIF Airways has been given permission, to add helicopters for services in outlying areas.
Damania and Jet Airways, on the other hand, have missed out, having failed to act on permission to obtain two and four more Boeing 737s, respectively. Of the 13 aircraft authorised in 1995, only four have been imported.
Authority for domestic passenger services has also been granted to Indo Pacific Aviation and Orient Airways, while cargo authority has been given to the Travel Corporation of India, Elbee and Blue Dart. The latter has bought two of the five 737-200s which have been put up for sale by Indian Airlines.
Source: Flight International