Rudy forms 5-member panel for aviation policy

The team will also work out a regulatory mechanism for technical and financial issues. Besides this, it will present an analysis on the future of Indian Airlines and Air-India while also studying issues like affordability and connectivity in the domestic aviation sector. The committee has been specifically asked to suggest methods to develop regional air connectivity.

The panel, according to ministry sources, has been asked to work out a mechanism for providing air services to interior areas of the country and operations on “economically unviable but socially essential routes.”

This apart, the committee will examine upgradation of systems for Air traffic control and meteorological information. They will also look into issues of aviation security and safety while trying to piece together an overall roadmap to take move the aviation sector forward including broader policy decisions like allowing private airlines to operate in international routes.

It must be noted here that the ministry has already commissioned the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER) to carry out a study on various facets related to improving the aviation sector, particularly on affordability of air travel and operations in commercially unviable routes. With this committee now being set up, official sources say, the report might have to be submitted to the panel as an expert opinion.

While the committee has been given a time frame of 90 days to submit the report, official sources say, it has been given the option of submitting an interim report if necessary. According to the officials, Rudy has taken the decision to set up a committee to obtain a broader view of the entire sector. The panel has been given the freedom to co-opt any expert to carry out its task.