Thursday, August 11 2005 15:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Magic Air, a start-up airline proposed to be launched from November by a Person of Indian Origin, has already run into turbulent weather, with the Government today (Aug 11, 2005) saying it cannot permit Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) to operate an airline.

"The existing civil aviation requirements stipulate that a scheduled or non-scheduled air transport operators permit could be only granted to Indian citizens," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

Under the rules, a permit could also be provided to a company or a body whose effective control was vested with Indian nationals, Patel said, adding, "Hence, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), who are not Indian citizens, cannot be permitted to operate air transport services in terms of the present regulatory."

The new airline was proposed to be launched from November by a PIO, Neera Radia.

However, Patel said the Government was examining amendment of Aircraft Rules in consultation with all concerned.

Kingfisher: The Airports Authority of India has given permission to Indian Airlines, which is the handling agent for Kingfisher Airlines, to operate from I-A (exclusively meant for IA) terminal at Indira Gandhi Airport.