Govt forms three key panel to revive Covid-hit aviation sector

Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia formed three key advisory panels to deliberate and resolve challenges faced by the pandemic-hit aviation sector on Wednesday. The advisory panel on airports headed by the aviation minister will involve the aviation secretary, aviation ministry joint secretary, director-general, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), chairman, Airports Authority of India (AAI), G.B.S. Raju, Business Chairman of GMR Group, Hari K Marar, MD & CEO of Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL), and Jeet Adani, vice president of Adani Group. The terms of reference of the Civil Aviation Advisory Group of Airports, inter-alia includes advising the government for enhancing the airport capacity and on matters related to infrastructure augmentation and modernisation. Further, advising on matters related to increasing passenger facilities and amenities at airports and on issues related to improving customer experience and satisfaction. It further includes advising on matters related to enhancing airport service quality (ASQ) rating and other related international benchmark ratings, as per the order. The apex panel will also advise on tariff-related and other regulatory issues, on matters like manpower skilling in the airport sector, and capital expenditure (CAPEX) performance of airports, inclusive of targets under the National Infrastructure Pipeline. Another apex group to deal with problems associated with domestic airlines will be managed by the aviation ministry. The advisory group of airlines will advise the government on improving the domestic and international connectivity, on matters related to the promotion of passenger and cargo service, issues related to passenger facilities while air travel, and manpower skilling in the aviation sector. It will also recommend measures to safeguard the viability of airlines. According to aviation consultancy and research firm Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), the Indian aviation sector has suffered losses of around $8 billion in two years as a direct impact of the pandemic. Image Source Also read: Jyotiraditya Scindia: Covid-hit aviation sector on recovery path