In a move aimed at helping the debt-laden airlines bring down their costs, the government today allowed the Indian carriers to import Aviation Turbine Fuel, ATF directly. The Commerce Ministry in its statement has said that the Carriers who are interested to avail the opportunity to import ATF directly without going through State Trading Enterprises route may apply to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. Earlier in a meeting on 7th of this month, a Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister Pranab decided that the Commerce Ministry may permit direct import of ATF.