HYDERABAD: The Centre is contemplating the creation of an Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) to ensure a level-playing field for all airport developers, according to Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation K. N. Srivastav.

Addressing a session on `The challenge of connectivity' at the `Look South 2007' conducted by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here on Saturday, Mr. Srivastav said 300 new aircraft would be added in the next five years. This would necessitate additional airport infrastructure and about 5,000 pilots, besides other airport staff. As a consequence, the Government would have to make 300 airstrips, which were currently defunct, operational. This apart, airports in tier-II and tier-III cities would have to be developed, he said.

General Manager of Singapore Airlines Foo Chai Woo called for liberalisation of routes through open sky policy. Frequency to and from the south Indian cities to major world destinations should be enhanced and international players should be allowed to augment their services.

Liberal open skies would create jobs, promote tourism and increase trade and commerce, Mr. Foo Chai Woo said..

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