Lok Sabha Question No. 2068 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-22
Subject: UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2068

## LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the September 2020) 22nd

## UDAN SCHEME

## 2068. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether UDAN  Scheme has not met the expectation of the people;
- (b) if the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether most of the UDAN flights are cancelled at the last hour resulting inconvenience to passengers;
- (d) if so; the number of times helicopter services from and to Hindon base and other airports especially UDAN facilities to hilly areas have been cancelled since their operation excluding weather conditions; and
- (e) the steps taken or being taken by the Government to ensure that private players awarded air routes to provide efficient services to passengers?

## ANSWER

Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIA TION

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) & (b): After three rounds of bidding under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN); pre-COVID, 688 valid routes were awarded, out of which 281 routes were operationalized   connecting 45 RCS airports & 5 heliports. After suspension of domestic flight operations from 25th March, 2020 to 24th 2020, domestic air services   including RCS operations have recommenced with effect from 25.05.2020. Airlines are resuming the commenced RCS routes in 4 calibrated manner. May;

(c) & (d): No, Sir: However; Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) had to cancel some of the RCS flights due to bad weather conditions; poor visibility and technical snags considering the safety aspects of operations.

(e): UDAN is strengthening the overall aviation network through reasonable pricing for air travel: Passengers are benefiting from enhanced air services and affordable air tickets To incentivize the airline operators to fly RCS flights, following support schemelregulatory measures have been introduced:-

## 1.Central Government

- ii) Freedom to enter into code sharing arrangements with domestic as well as International Airlines pursuant to applicabie regulations and prevailing air service agreements.
- i) Excise at the rate of 2% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for SAOs at RCS Airports for RCS Flights for a period of three years from the date of notification of this Scheme. Duty
- 2.State Governments at RCS Airports within their States:
- ii) Provision of security and fire services free of cost at RCS Airports
- i) Reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 1% or less on ATF at RCS Airports located within the State for a period of ten years from the date of notification of RCS UDAN.
3. Airport Operators:
- ii) SAOs shall be allowed to undertake ground handling for their RCS Flights at all airports:
- 1) Airport operators shall not levy Landing Charges and Parking Charges
- iii) Airports Authority of India (AAI) shall not any Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) wn RCS Flights levy
- iv) Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) will be levied by AAI on a discounted basis at 42.50% of Normal Rates on RCS Flights.

In addition to above, Central Government and State Governments provide Viability Funding, which is shared between Ministry 0f Civil Aviation and the State Government in the ratio of 80:20 whereas for the States in North Eastern region/Union Territories (UT's) the ratio is 90:10. Gap