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| VT-TTB, the first A320 aircraft of Vistara at Delhi Airport. |
The so called '5/20' rule which restricts Indian airlines with less
than 5 years of domestic flying experience and a fleet size of less than 20
from flying on international routes, was introduced in 2004, close to the
arrival of low-cost carriers (LCC) in India. It was meant to protect the then
incumbent players like Air India, Air Sahara, Jet Airways from the potential
competition from new entrants like Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, SpiceJet
and others. On October 30, the Ministry of civil aviation (MoCA), the nodal
ministry on aviation has released a draft policy called 'National civil
aviation policy 2015' (NCAP 2015). And the MoCA is expected to come up with the
final aviation policy by the year end. One of the proposals on the draft policy
includes revision of '5/20' rule, either partial or complete removal of it.
Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), the lobbying group consisting Jet Airways,
SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir, is actively opposing any relaxation in the '5/20'
rule.
