Maharashtra's chief minister Prithviraj Chavan supports the move to allow airlines to directly import aviation turbine fuel. According to him, this move will provide the necessary relief to the ailing aviation industry.
"This is an attempt by the central government to give some help to Indian airline companies and a healthy aviation industry is required for the industrial growth of the country," he said today.
The Group of Ministers on aviation gave an in-principle approval for airlines to directly import aviation turbine fuel for their own use. While direct import of ATF would mean loss of revenues for the states, Chavan said that "we should take the loss in spirit."
Currently, aviation turbine fuel is the only petroleum product that is earnings profits for state-owned oil firms.
