SpiceJet added 21 aircraft in the last 21 days, says chairman Ajay Singh

Ajay Singh, the chairman and MD of SpiceJet, shared his views on the new government and what he expects in terms of policy reforms.

“India has been the fastest growing aviation markets in the world over the last several years and there is no reason why India cannot continue to be the fastest growing aviation markets in the world for several years to come. I think we have an unprecedented opportunity to connect India to itself and India to the world in the next few years. However, there are some structural issues which we have been pointing out which needs to be corrected. The largest issue, of course, is the inclusion of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) under the goods and services tax (GST) regime. We need a level playing field with airlines around the world, many of whom we compete with today. No other country in the world taxes ATF the way we do,” Singh said on Friday.

“There are certain import duties which have been imposed on import of spare parts when they come back from repair. There are other issues where there is double taxation on certain elements of infrastructure that is used to provide ATF into the aircraft. I think all those issues need to be addressed urgently and if this can be done, there is no reason on earth why Indian carriers will not be amongst the best in the world and Indian airports will not be global aviation hubs. I think we have a tremendous opportunity and we should make the most of it,” he added.