Upcoming aviation policy to be a revolutionary one: Praful Patel

Mumbai: The union civil aviation minister, Praful Patel, has said that the upcoming aviation policy would be a 'revolutionary' one. He made this remark with reference to greenfield merchant airports.

Speaking at the 3rd annual Indian Subcontinent and Middle East Aviation and Tourism Investor Summit here, Patel said, "We are looking at building future airports. Our decision to come up with merchant airports would be a revolutionary decision."

Conceptually, merchant greenfield airports are slated to be private airports, built on private land within existing civil aviation parameters and existing air-traffic management regime. The government will also allow 100% FDI in setting up these facilities.

"If somebody is willing to take the risk, has the land and is willing to build airports, we are going to look at it in a very positive manner," the minister added.

Amongst other issues, the minister also made mention of the rapid pace of expansion of airports in the country, and stated that this expansion should occur across the length and breadth of the land.

The minister also said that he would be signing MoUs with foreign parties to set up flight training schools in the country, during the course of a visit to Paris next week.