New Delhi: Strengthening the Indian Airlines and Air India and putting in place a comprehensive civil aviation policy would be accorded top priority by the new Government, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said here today (May 24, 2005).

After taking charge as the Minister of State for Civil Aviation with Independent Charge at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, Patel said Indian Airlines should grow and retain its past glory.

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"For more than a decade neither of the two flight carriers have purchased any new aircraft. My Ministry would lay special emphasis on strengthening the two carriers so that there is a healthy competition with the private sector," he said.

He said the comprehensive civil aviation policy will be completed soon so that all the airports were modernised.