SpiceJet obtains government approval to import ATF directly
SpiceJet stated (18-Apr-2012) it received approval from the Director General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to import directly import aircraft turbine fuel (ATF), becoming India's first LCC to gain approval to directly import ATF. The airline will start importing fuel at an airport in southern India on a pilot basis to check the economic viability of the process. "We are negotiating with leading oil marketing companies and are hopeful of starting fuel imports in due course," CEO Neil Mills said, adding, "Importing fuel from overseas market at comparatively lower price will help us considerably bring down operational costs." Last month, Air India also announced plans to import ATF directly from international suppliers. [more - original PR]