There Is Huge Potential In Indian Aviation Market: Qatar Airways CEO

Akbar Al Baker said that the Indian aviation industry is very regulated and regulations stifle growth. "I think that it is incorrect for the authorities to stifle competition just to protect one or two other airlines. You should leave it to survival of the fittest," he asserted.

There is huge growth potential in the Indian aviation market, Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways said in an interaction with NDTV, while calling for expansion of the Indian aviation market to international operators and creation of a conducive investment climate for business free from protectionism, "leaving it to survival of the fittest." Slamming India's aviation regulations as being protectionist, Akbar Al Baker said that the Indian aviation industry is very regulated and regulations stifle growth. "I think that it is incorrect for the authorities to stifle competition just to protect one or two other airlines. You should leave it to survival of the fittest," he asserted. Emphasizing on the need for competition, he said that competition is always healthy. " The government should aim at expanding the Indian aviation market to international operators because the more flights you get in, the more tourists you get in, the more businesses grow and the government earns a lot of revenue," Al Baker said. Qatar Airways is the best in the world because "we are competing against equals and we always excel. That should really be the mantra for everybody," he pointed out.