In a major boost to private airlines, especially IndiGo and SpiceJet, the civil aviation ministry has lifted the freeze on them to expand abroad. The government had imposed the freeze in March last year with the objective of protecting the financially strained Air India from more competition on foreign routes. The new move could impact the national carrier adversely. Air India has over 20 per cent market share of international air travel from India but will now face tough competition from nimble-footed private players.