CALCUTTA, November 22: Private domestic airlines would be allowed to operate international flights from the country, the civil aviation secretary MK Kaw said on Saturday.

Private operators would be offered an international route only after the offer for it was rejected by Air India or Indian Airlines, he said during an informal chat with newsmen during the national conference on air transport infrastructure. Initially, routes to the neighbouring countries would be provided to them, he added.

The secretary also said that air traffic controls at some domestic airports would be privatised under the new airport policy. About Rs 423 crore would be utilised for upgrading the ATCs at various airports in the country, he added.

He also said that in an attempt to enhance safety of flights and cutting down delays, many flight corridors were being widened and that no aerodromes would be closed because of VIP flight operations.

Kaw said that the defence ministry had been requested to shift two firing ranges in Delhi and also to hold air shows outside the capital which hamper the normal movement of flights. He also said that the civil aviation ministry was trying to bring about a sea change in the domestic sector in spite of severe financial constraints.

He also said that the domestic aviation sector was being seriously affected because of high cost of aviation turbine fuel, which is three times that of international prices.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.