The requirement would depend upon various factors including, inter-alia, growth of passenger traffic, growth rate of GDP, foreign tourist arrivals, Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and prospects of the growth of other modes of transport etc.

Minister of Civil Aviation Ajit Singh said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday that according to an assessment of the overall outlook of the sector in 2020, the fleet size in the commercial airline sector will be approximately 1000 aircraft. However, the projected number of new aircraft required in the next ten years would depend upon various factors including, inter-alia, growth of passenger traffic, growth rate of GDP, foreign tourist arrivals, Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and prospects of the growth of other modes of transport etc.

The mode of import/acquisition of aircraft and fund requirement for the same is a commercial decision of the airlines and the Government does not interfere in such matters. (NSSNS)