It is expected that Patel would push for ‘declared goods’ status on ATF as one of the primary interim relief measures for the industry. By notifying ATF as a declared good, all states would have to reduce sales tax on it to 4 per cent from 25-33 per cent prevalent in most places currently. “Even a uniform 12 per cent sales tax on ATF being mooted earlier is not going to help now. Only a declared goods status on ATF will help,” Patel had said two days ago.

Minister says...

•The issue concerns the lives and jobs, and connecting the country more than airlines themselves

• Absorbing the ATF price increase is impacting the financial health of the industry

• Given the current trend, the industry is not far from becoming an unhealthy sector

• PM must save the sector from sickness

DGCA’s fuel conservation plan

•Airplanes should taxi on one engine after landing

•Use ground power unit which runs on petrol while taxiing, rather than axillIary power unit which runs on costlier ATF

•Avoid excess fuel upliftment at cheaper stations. This makes aircraft heavier and unable to fly at high altitudes where fuel efficiency is better (if 5,000 kl of extra fuel is uplifted, 400 kl more is needed just to carry the surplus).

Airlines’ woes

•$ 2 billion in losses for Indian domestic carriers this year

•Capacity on ground being cut down by 20 per cent in a coordinated manner

... contd.