NEW DELHI, July 25: Stung by allegations of favouritism, the Government today said all charges made by parties in this regard were baseless and without truth. In a note issued, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it strongly refutes the allegations made by Indigo Airlines Promoter Rahul Bhatia on tinkering with the aviation policies for a select few. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation is performing its functions in an objective, fair and transparent manner without discrimination against any airlines. It is the policy of the Government to promote civil aviation sector in the country by making the airlines financially viable and air travel affordable for the people,” said the note, while adding, “The comments of Shri Bhatia in this regard are uncalled for and baseless.” Regarding allegations of favourtism in traffic route allocations, it is clarified that all requests have been dealt with objectively in a fair manner so that every applicant airlines gets its share as per its demand without prejudice. “Indigo has been allocated traffic rights based on their requests for international routes. During this Summer-2012 alone they have been given 63 services per week which include 28 services to Dubai alone,” it said while adding that in addition, Indigo has also been given bilateral rights to fly to Singapore, Bangkok, Jeddah and Kathmandu which is significant when compared to their total services on international routes which were only 53 per week. “Still if any airlines has grievances, the Ministry is always open to redress them and to entertain any suggestions,” said the note. Clarifying its stand vis a vis Air India, the note said the government was well within its rights to promote the national carrier and prepare it for competition. “Air India was highly under-capitalised at the time of merger in 2007 and has therefore been provided support in the form of equity to correct the skewed debt equity ratio,” it said, adding, in fact the Government has not subsidised Air India. Moreover, the Government has stipulated stringent performance related milestones for Air India and has also established an oversight committee to ensure that these milestones are achieved, the government added. The Ministry note added that private operators were not being provided any financial support directly or indirectly but have been allowed to perform as per market forces. On the issue of safety of airlines, it is stated that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been regularly monitoring the safety related issues of all airlines, and that the DG has also decided to quarterly monitor the safety records of airlines as per industry norms. Further, as regards anomalies related to Kishfisher Airlines, there are no regulatory frameworks anywhere in the world allowing cancellation of the licence of airlines merely for failing to pay salaries to the staff, the government added. (UNI)
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