SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh made a pitch for a cut in state taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and bringing it within the ambit of the GST to make the Indian aviation sector the fastest growing in the world.
Speaking at the India Economic Summit of the WEF, he said that if the sector were the beneficiary of a favourable tax regime, there was no reason why India would not emerge as the fastest growing aviation market in the world in the next decade.
“If we have to increase connectivity and bring down cost - in aviation cost, the biggest item is aviation turbine fuel (ATF). So, we want that ATF cost to be reduced and states should reduce sales tax and bring it within GST so that we can claim input tax credit,” Singh said. “If it happens, then ATF prices will come down, fares will come down and the aviation sector will see growth.”
He also dwelt on concerns relating to the goods and services tax (GST) and hoped that these glitches will be sorted out over time.
“We found that the government was very receptive to hearing ideas. So, we are discussing with them and hopefully, there will be a solution,” Singh said.
He emphasised that there is no shortage of ambition, but “there are lots and lots to do.“
“We cannot have the most expensive aviation sector in the world, the most expensive ATF in the world, the most expensive airports in the world because there was a socialist mindset that everything needed to be taxed. Now, we have added to that by putting GST, which is really a large tax on all sorts of activities related to aviation,” Singh explained.
These are the issues that need to be fixed, the SpiceJet chief stressed. SpiceJet has signed an MoU with a Japanese company for at least 100 amphibious planes.
“We need to start thinking out of the box. We need to start looking at even places where no airports exist today. SpiceJet is now considering a project where we use sea planes for the first time in India,” he said.
Asked about regulation for such aircraft in India, Singh said: “Countries will have to create regulations which increase air connectivity and I think, based on discussion with the government, there seems to be a great deal of interest in working to create regulations which exist around the world.”
