Centre to constitute a GoM for aviation sector :Patel

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Stating that the revival plan for cash-strapped national carrier Air India was well on track, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Wednesday said that his ministry will shortly seek cabinet approval for equity infusion into the airline. "There are two issues concerning Air India.

September 16th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here on Wednesday that a revival plan for national carrier Air India is on track and his ministry will soon approach the Union Cabinet for approving infusion of equity. Speaking to newsmen, on the sidelines of the symposium on cooperation between India and Asia in the aviation sector, Patel said the revival plan is in the process of being finalised.

August 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided to constitute a ministerial group to look into the issue of high aviation fuel prices in India that has exacerbated the current crisis of the industry. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel made the announcement here after briefing the cabinet about the prevailing situation in the domestic and global aviation industry, including the comparative cost of fuel in India and elsewhere.

August 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel on Tuesday said that there was no plan of retrenchment and early retirement scheme for the civil aviation sector employees. "There are approximately 52,042 employees working in the civil aviation sector in the attached/autonomous/public sector organisations under this ministry.

August 3rd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Even with the private airlines calling off their planned protest of August 18, the Union Government has stood firm and ruled out any financial bailout for them. Speaking to the reporters here on Monday Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said, "There is no question of a financial bailout for private airlines." He also made it clear that the government would not bail out Air India.

August 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minster of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel has urged the private air operators to come forward for negotiations rather than threatening to suspend on August 18. Patel said, the government understood the problems of the aviation sector, but maintained that it would not tolerate inconvenience to the paying public.

August 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said on Saturday that the government would not offer bailout package to private airlines. On Friday, the private airlines announced that they suspend their operations on August 18 if the government did not help them to cut down costs.

July 29th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Wednesday airlines operating from India should follow the law of the land while frisking passengers in airports. Referring to the recent controversy over the frisking of Former President A.P.J.

July 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Central Government, on Wednesday said that it was aware of the frisking of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam by Continental Airlines and had issued a show cause notice to the airline on July 9.

July 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The new aviation regulator, Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), will settle all contentious issues in the aviation sector, including the airport development fee issue, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Thursday. Replying to questions in parliament, Patel said: "AERA has been constituted by an act of parliament and has started functioning.

June 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Civil Aviation minister Praful Patel said on Monday that in the near future, the government might come up with an initial public offering (IPO) of the national carrier, Air India. Patel was addressing reporters at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here soon after taking over his second tenure.

June 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Starting his second innings at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan here, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel Monday said the government can soon consider an initial public offer for the cash-strapped National Aviation Company of India. "The issue, however, will not affect the public sector character of the airline," Patel told reporters here after formally taking charge of his portfolio, adding that the public offer launch will also depend on market conditions.

May 28th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Nursing state-run carrier Air India back to financial health will be the top priority for Praful Patel, as he listed his main agenda for the ministry soon after being named minister of state for civil aviation once again. "As soon as I was given aviation (portfolio), I got a call from the Air India chairman and managing director.

February 22nd, 2009 PANAJI - The number of airports in India will go up from the present 85 to about 400 in the next 10 years, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Saturday. It was a busy day for Patel, who visited three cities to inaugurate two new air terminals and lay the foundation stone of a third.

January 13th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The government should consider allowing foreign airline operators to own up to 25 percent stake in Indian carriers, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here Wednesday. 'We have not taken a formal decision on this.