Airlines need to discuss high taxes on ATF with govt: AirAsia

Chandigarh: Stating that higher taxes on aviation turbine fuel should be brought down to boost the country's aviation sector, no-frill carrier AirAsia India today asked all airlines to have a discussion with the government on this issue.

"All airlines need to have strong discussion with the government together. We are doing a bit and we constantly have discussion on (with the government) on how tax on fuel needs to be waived or dropped down," AirAsia India CEO Mittu Chandilya told reporters here.

Lowering ATF, better connectivity on Aviation Min's agenda

Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today and raised the point of the need for greater regional air connectivity. This is for the first time that the Civil Aviation Minister is officially meeting the PM. Some of the critical things that he is highlighting is the need for greater regional air connectivity. Infact the whole idea behind it is to come up with airports in some of the smaller towns, some of the smaller cities and most importantly make it viable for airlines to fly into these places.