DOHA, June 3 — The International Air and Transport Association (IATA) has proposed to India’s new government to reduce taxes, restrain private airport operators from levying high charges and relax “excessive” regulations in the aviation industry to enable India to generate economic growth.
“You are a sleeping economic giant and you have great opportunities that very few countries have,” said Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways’ chief executive officer and president of the 70th IATA assembly held here Monday.
“Unfortunately, the previous administration did not make full use of the hidden Indian potential,” Press Trust of India (PTI) quotes him as saying.
Akbar said the aviation industry in India has “such vast potential that if capacity was allocated to every airline applying to fly to India, you would still have load factors in excess of 80 percent. I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to look at aviation as a very important tool to generate economic growth in India,” he said.
“This sector will bring you trade, tourism, more jobs and create economic prosperity for the Indian people who have been deprived so much economic opportunities in their country,” he added.
IATA director general and chief executive officer Tony Tyler said he had a “wish list” for the new Indian government to help maximise the potential of India’s aviation industry.
“To name a few, it would be to stop political interference in the industry, slash state taxes on jet fuel and develop the Navi Mumbai airport,” Tyler said.
“I hope to visit India soon and discuss these ideas and other ways (to help the aviation industry) with the new government,” he said.
–BERNAMA
