Govt’s push for reforms in civil aviation: Easing of airspace restrictions, auction of 6 airports and more

In a move that is expected to bring about Rs 1000 crores per year for the aviation sector, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday announced that restrictions on utilisation of the Indian airspace will be eased so that civilian flying becomes more efficient.

Unveiling the fourth tranche of the Covid economic measures as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Mission’), Sitharaman said that only 60 per cent of Indian airspace is freely available because of which longer routes had to be used to fly through most destinations. Opening up more airspace would reduce travel time and save on fuel, besides making civilian flying more efficient, she added.