Carriers exempt from import licence

Government also decided to treat jet fuel supplies to long-distance flights of international carriers as exports.

In a boost to the aviation sector, the government on Friday decided to exempt public sector organisations including Air-India, Indian and Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, from obtaining licenses to import aircraft and treat jet fuel, food and beverages supplied to foreign airlines as exports.

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Aircraft and helicopters, including used ones, could from now on be imported by PSUs like A-I, Indian, PHHL, Vayudoot, Airports Authority of India, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy and flying clubs recognised by the Civil Aviation Ministry, without obtaining import licences from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), according to a notification issued under the new Foreign Trade Policy.

Besides these PSUs, anyone permitted by the Civil Aviation Ministry to operate scheduled or non-scheduled air transport services would also not require a DGFT licence to import aircraft or choppers.

Those not in this category, however, would need a licence.

In another move aimed at making India an aviation refuelling hub, government also decided to treat jet fuel supplies to long-distance flights of international carriers as exports, enabling oil firms offer fuel at competitive rates.

This would essentially translate into lowering of fuel prices.