NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Wednesday said the Government's merger and acquisition policy could not be made to suit the preference of individual airlines.

Reacting to the claim of Jet Airways that its deal for acquiring Air Sahara fell apart due to delay in framing policies and getting government clearance, Mr. Patel said: "The policy cannot be tailor-made to suit any particular airline. Government is very clear on this issue. The policy that is broadly in place is based on best international models and practices."

If someone had a grievance they were free to approach the Government. "But the Government is not answerable to anyone. Policies are not made to suit any particular airline. If someone is dissatisfied, we cannot be held responsible," he told reporters. The policies were made for the aviation sector and not for individual carriers.

On the issue of "Open Skies," he said India was in the process of opening up its skies. Before that, important issues such as proper airport infrastructure, strengthening the Indian carriers and their capacity needed to be addressed.

Earlier, he held a meeting with a Kuwaiti delegation during which it was agreed to increase weekly seats from Kuwait by 1,300. Pending the outcome of next month's bilateral talks with Kuwait, the Civil Aviation Ministry approved the increase in weekly seats. Kuwait Airways is to maintain its current scheduled and capacity of 5,200 seats per week.

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