Norms eased to air-link Jaffna with Chennai

New Delhi, February 5

The government today gave ex post facto approval to waive “5/20 rule” for Air India’s subsidiary Alliance Air to conduct flight operations between India and Sri Lanka. Under the said rule, an airline can conduct international flight operations only when it has five years of experience and minimum 20 aircraft.

Briefing media after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, Union Minister Prakash javadekar said the approval has been given ex post facto, which means with retrospective force. He went on to add that while the airline had five years of experience, it did not have 20 aircraft at present.

He said, “The decision is just an exception because from Sri Lankans should be getting connectivity. Both countries welcome this decision.” — TNS