Tata-SIA JV gets NOC from aviation ministry

Singapore AirlinesCivil aviation ministry on Wednesday issued no objection certificate (NOC) to the Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA) joint venture (JV), clearing the final hurdle for the proposed airline's take off.

Ajit Singh civil aviation ministry gave NOC to the Tata-SIA JV in less than a week after the Union home ministry gave its approved security clearances to the JV's three board members. Of the three directors, one will be a foreigner and two will be Indians.

Announcing the development, a civil aviation ministry official said, "The minister has approved the NOC for Tata-SIA this evening and the airline will be informed soon. Now, the airline company will have to apply to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for air operators' permit (AOP)."

Tata Sons welcomed the approval and confirmed that they would apply for the air operator permit immediately after they receive their NOC letter from the aviation ministry.

The JV was first announced in September last year. The Indian company will hold 51 per cent stake in the JV, while the rest will be owned by Singapore Airlines.

Tata-SIA is the second airline JV that has gained NOC to join India's aviation industry after the government relaxed its foreign direct investment (FDI) rules in September 2012. AirAsia India, a JV among AirAsia, Tata Sons, and Arun Bhatia of Telestra Tradeplace, was the first to receive NOC in September 2013.