(wl-6264)-Exploring the existing challenges and hurdles in the Indian Aviation Sector.

With the radical market liberalization and increasing market complexities, it is quintessential to enquire into sustainable capacity-building approaches for a viable and sustainable aviation industry. One prominent factor that must be addressed in this regard is the lack of competition in an oligopolistic Indian aviation market, which certainly poses deeper questions. The paper discusses the current Indian scenario and the factors which lead to various types of anticompetitive practices on part of the few dominant players, which in turn create a hindrance for new airlines, stifling growth and shying away from open market access. The authors examine the effect of combinations and mergers in the industry, aspects of gun jumping, and fixing algorithms for price determination. The impending discourse on sectoral and general regulations, and reconciling power dynamics of the CCI and the DGCA has also been analyzed. The article further deals with airport slot allotments, fleet and equity requirements, taxation and pricing of Air Turbine Fuel and the need to check these restrictive trade practices. Lastly, the authors draw conclusions from a multifarious perspective, comparing the relative position of the civil aviation sector in the global paradigm. /