Magic Air's flight plans grounded

Magic Air, a start-up airline slated to be launched from November by a Person of Indian Origin, Neera Radia , has already run into turbulent weather, with the government on Thursday saying it cannot permit 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, who are not Indian citizens, cannot be permitted to operate air transport services in terms of the present regulatory."

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