PIOs' airline dream to take wings

The Union Civil Aviation Minister has said the matter was under examination.

The Government is examining allowing Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to start airline operations from the country, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

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Replying to a question related to Magic Air, a PIO-promoted airline that has proposed to start operations by November this year, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the matter was under examination in consultation with all concerned.

"The existing civil aviation requirements stipulate that a scheduled or non-scheduled air transport operators permit could be granted only to Indian citizens," he said.

"Hence, PIOs who are not Indian citizens, cannot be permitted to operate air transport services in terms of the present regulatory position."

The new airline was proposed to be launched from November by a PIO, Neera Radia.