India considers three policy options re 5/20 Rule including DFC scheme

India's Minister of Civil Aviation Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju released (30-Oct-2015) the Revised Draft National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP 2015), outlining the following in the section entitled 'Rule 5/20'. The government invites suggestions on three possible policy options:

• 5/20 Rule may continue as it is; or
• 5/20 Rule will be abolished with immediate effect; or
• Domestic airlines will need to accumulate 300 DFC before commencing flights to SAARC countries and countries beyond 5000km radius from New Delhi;
• • They will need to accumulate 600 DFC before starting flights to the remaining parts of the world;
  • The DFC earned will be equal to the Available Seat Kilometre (ASKM) deployed by the airline on domestic routes divided by 10 million;
  • All domestic airlines will required to earn at least 300 DFC p/a in order to maintain their international flying rights.
  • Free to re-deploy their excess capacity (above 300) between domestic and foreign operations and also trade them. [more - original PR]