Lok Sabha Question No. 968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-27
Subject: Air Connectivity in Smaller Cities
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: P.P. Chaudhary, Ravindra Kushawaha, Ravi Kishan Shukla, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Chunni Lal Sahu

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UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 968

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the June 2019) 27th'

## AIR CONNECTIVITY IN SMALLER CITIES

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968.

SHRI PP. CHAUDHARY SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHAWAHA SHRI RA VINDRA SHYAM NARA YAN SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN SHRI MANOJ TIWARI SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government proposes to give impetus to the air connectivity expansion programme in small cities across the country;
- Pradesh; Delhi and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh;
- (b) if s0, the details of new efforts made in this regard for Uttar being
- (c) whether only 1-2 flight services are available for small cities due to suspension of flight operation by Jet airways;
- (e) the plan being evolved by the Government for these cities?

## ANSWER

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

(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) to (e): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme on 21-10-2016 to facilitate stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses Promoting affordability of regionai air connectivity is envisioned under RCS by supporting airline operators through (i) concessions by Central Government, State Governments and airport operators to reduce the cost of airline operations on regional routes and (ii) financial support (Viability Funding) to meet the gap,if any, between the cost of airline operations and expected revenues on regional routes. The interested airlines based on their assessment of demand on particular routes submit proposals at the time of bidding under RCS from time t0 time. Gap

- (d) if s0, the details thereof; and

With repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian airline industry was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network wish t0 service and operate: Further, Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) with 2 View to achieve better air transport services % different regions of the country; It is therefore, Up to the airiines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such; the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of RDGs issued by Government they

Sixteen (16) number %f unserved/underserved airports of Uttar Pradesh have been identified under RCS-UDAN version 1.0,2.0 & 3.0 are as under 8

- 2.Aligarh
- 1.Agra
- 3.Prayagraj

5.Bareiliy

4.Azamgarh

6.Chitrakoot

7.Faizabad

9JJhansi

11. Kushinagar

10. Kanpur (Chakeri)

12. Meerut

14. Muirpur (Korba)

13. Moradabad

15. Saharanpur

16. Shravasti

RCS flights operation at Agra,\_Prayagraj & Kanpur (Chakeri) have commenced. MoU was signed for development of Prayagraj; Kanpur, Bareilly, Meerut, Moradabad, Faizabad & Kushinagar with State Government of Uttar Pradesh: Prayagraj airport has been completed and commissioned: Airports at & Kanpur are developed further. New Terminal Building at Gorakhpur Airport has been Inaugurated. New Civil Enclave at Hindon has been inaugurated. Agra; Agra being\_

Bilaspur airport has been developed by State Government of Chhattisgarh and is ready for operationalization of flights under RCS-UDAN. No valid bid received S0 far: If any valid bid is received in future round of RCS-UDAN; same shall be considered as per scheme document.

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