Hyderabad: Facing the heat of the financial crisis that has hit the aviation sector, state-owned Air India today said it is considering a plan to give 3-5 years leave without pay to about 15,000 of its staff."We are planning to offer leave without pay for three to five years. We can consider it for about 15,000 employees," Air India CMD Raghu Menon told PTI.He, however, said those who take up the offer to go on leave would be taken back if they desire so at the same seniority and last drawn pay.

Source: http://www.indianaviationnews.net/

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New Delhi: In a bid to exploit the potential of helicopter tourism in the country, the government is working on several initiatives, including dedicated helipads and separate helicopter corridors, to promote helicopter tourism in the country.Speaking at an industry seminar, Madhavan Nambiar, civil aviation secretary, said, India has immense potential for helicopter tourism but needs the right impetus for growth.“At present, India has a fleet of 150 civilian helicopters in the country, which is expected to rise to 600 in the next few years,” Nambiar said.“There is a great demand for heli-tourism, especially in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the Northeast,” S Bannerjee, tourism secretary, said.The government is working out separate corridors for helicopters and is also creating helipads in the Capital and Mumbai, Nambiar said. The proposed helipad in Delhi is expected to be in place before 2010.A helicopter industry official, requesting anonymity, said simplifying procedures, reducing the time on ground and straightening routes, could substantially reduce operational costs.

Source: http://www.indianaviationnews.net/

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