April 3, 2025
Lok Sabha MP Pratima Mondal’s speech on The Protection of Interests In Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025
Sir, on behalf of the All India Trinamool Congress, I rise to speak on the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill 2025. Sir, just three to four days ago, we were discussing the exorbitant aircraft air price,and the hon. Minister has failed to give any satisfactory reply regarding the airfare. हमारेमाननीर् प्रिानमंत्री जी नेएक बार कहा था तक अब हवाई चप्पि पहननेवािे भी हवाई जहाज मेंबैठनेका सपना देखिेहैं। So, my question to the Government is this. Does the Government still believe in this promise? I would like to know from the hon. Aviation Minister whether there is any mechanism tohandle this exorbitant airfare. Sir, India is a big country and, right now, we do not have any national carrier. All the airports are being operated by the private players. This Bill is designed to protect international creditors and aircraft lessors, not the Indian people. It prioritizes the financial security of foreign investors over the stability of our airlines, the livelihood of our aviation workers, and the rights of Indian passengers. This Bill gives immense power to creditors, allowing them to quickly repossess aircraft if an airline defaults on payments. So, many Indian airlines, including major players have faced financial turbulence in the past. If this Bill had been in place during the crisis faced by airlines like Jet Airways or Go First, the creditors would have swooped in immediately, repossessing aircraft without giving these airlines a fighting chance to recover. Instead of helping the industry stabilise, this Bill could accelerate airline bankruptcies, reduce competition, and ultimately lead to higher ticket prices for ordinary citizens. What happens when airlines suddenly lose aircraft? Fights are cancelled, passengers are stranded,and disruptions become normal. Instead of ensuring safety, affordable, safe, reliable air travel for Indian citizens, this Bill threatens to create instability in the very industry it claims to strengthen. Sir, let us not forget the hard-working people who keep our airlines running – pilots, cabin crew, engineers, ground staff, and countless others. If airlines collapse under the pressure of aggressive aircraft repossession, thousands of jobs will be at risk. Do we really want a law that puts foreign investors’ interests above Indian workers’ livelihood? What about our national economy? Supporters of this Bill claim, it will bring more foreign investment into our aviation sector. But, what will be the cost? If airlines are constantly at risk of losing their planes, they will struggle to expand, innovate or even survive. This could discourage new entrants into the market, and hand over control of our aviation industry to foreign leasing companies and financiers. What is most troubling is the lack of balance in this Bill. Yes, we must honour our international commitments. But, we must also protect our domestic interests. The Bill fails to provide airlines with sufficient time or legal records to renegotiate leases during financial distress. It disregards the fact that the aviation industry is cyclical. Ups and downs are part of the business. Instead of helping airlines recover, this Bill seems designated to push them into insolvency faster. Moreover, the Bill overrides the existing Indian laws, including aspects of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. This could lead to legal confusion, prolonged court battles, and an overburdened judiciary rather than the streamlined process. I would like make a request to the hon. Minister. The Government of West Bengal has already provided a piece of land for construction of the second airport, very close to the Netaji International Airport. I would like to know the current status of this project. Sir, I would also like to request the hon. Minister to introduce at least two flights at 15-day intervals from London to Kolkata and from France to Kolkata. If the hon. Minister initiates this process, I would be very happy. Thank you, Sir
