Flying abroad could become easier for domestic airlines

Domestic airlines which don’t have the mandatory five-year flying experience could be allowed to fly to international destinations if the Union Cabinet

Domestic airlines which don’t have the mandatory five-year flying experience could be allowed to fly to international destinations if the Union Cabinet clears the proposed Civil Aviation Policy (Vision 2020) at its meeting on Friday.

However, no blanket review of the existing guidelines is being considered and the stipulation that a carrier must have a fleet of a minimum 20 aircraft to fly abroad is likely to remain. Once cleared, the proposal would give the Civil Aviation Ministry the powers to relax the existing guidelines only on a case-to-case basis.

Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines is likely to be the first beneficiary of a likely relaxation of the five-year domestic experience condition.

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The Vision 2020 is also likely to do away with the restrictions that prevent private airlines from operating on lucrative Gulf routes. This would end the monopoly enjoyed by national carriers Air India and Indian in the sector.

The rules barring private carriers from going to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait expire on December 31 this year and are not likely to be extended by the ministry.

The Vision 2020 will also detail allowing 100 per cent FDI in operation of seaplanes and helicopters. It is also likely to list measures to increase regional connectivity in the country with a slew of measures being proposed. The ministry is working separately on a policy to promote airlines to operate in a given region by offering them sops.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds up a map while speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

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