The civil aviation ministry has tightened the eligibility criteria norms for flying international routes by increasing the domestic flying credits (DFCs) eligibility to 300 DFC from the current 200. According to the new proposal, airlines will have to accumulate DFCs by flying to more cities in India and will have the right to automatically fly overseas once the credits cross a certain threshold.
These DFCs can be earned by flying to India’s top 20 cities and to smaller cities with airports. The ministry has also proposed a buy-and-sell arrangement under which 25% of such DFCs can be bought from regional airlines or helicopter companies. However, the revised norms, designed to encourage long-haul operations, also stipulate that a new airlines will not be allowed to operate on international routes, which are less than 6 hours away, with 300 DFCs and will require to earn 600 DFCs to fly under six-hour routes.
A meeting of airlines to discuss the proposal of replacing the 5/20 eligibility criteria norm was called and was decided to remove 5/20 eligibility clause for flying international, being replaced through DFCs. A note for inter-ministerial consultation on the issue will be sent to the ministries. The airlines have been asked to respond with their query by March 31, 2015.
Currently, an airline seeking to start overseas flights needs to have an uninterrupted flying experience of five years in the domestic skies and have a minimum fleet size of 20 aircraft. Only three airlines - Air India, Indian Airlines (Indian) and Jet Airways - presently meet the minimum eligibility criteria to operate international flight.