Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Non-Scheduled Operator Permit
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. : 175

(To be answered on the 10 th  December 2015)

## NON-SCHEDULED OPERATOR PERMIT

## *175. SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO SHRI SATAV RAJEEV

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the estimated number of Non Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP) holders in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to allow NSOP holders to operate in small towns, if so, the details thereof and the objectives behind such a move;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to create Regional Connectivity Fund and also have viability gap funding between Union Government and the States and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether there is also a proposal to involve scheduled airlines to induct small planes into their fleet for improving air connectivity and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to provide affordable air travel connectivity in small towns in the country?

## ANSWER

(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the house.

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A  STATEMENT  IN  RESPECT  OF  STARRED  PARLIAMENT QUESTION NO. 175 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2015 REGARDING "NON-SCHEDULED OPERATOR PERMIT" a) As on date, the  total number of Non Scheduled Operator Permit (NSOP) holders in the country are 129. The state/UT-wise break-up of these NSOP holders on the basis of their registered office is as follows: Delhi-50,  Maharashtra-31,Karnataka-10,Tamilnadu-06,Punjab07,Gujarat-05,Telengana-03,Kerala-03,West  Bengal-03,Haryana03,Rajasthan-02,UP-03,Orissa-01,MP-01,Tripura-01 (b) These NSOP holders can operate freely anywhere in the country. The operator is also free to operate a series of flights on any Sector within India by selling individual seats but will not be permitted to publish time table for such flights. (c) The regional connectivity is being accorded higher priority by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and accordingly the Draft National Civil Aviation Policy inter alia provides for Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) by levying 2% on all domestic & international tickets on all routes other than Cat IIA routes and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) routes for providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF). (d) As per existing provisions the scheduled operators can induct fixed wing  aircraft  of  All  Up  Weight  (AUW)    more  than  5700  kg.  and Helicopter above  3180 kg.  This weight limit is sufficient for induction of small aircraft meant for regional connectivity. (e)  On the recommendation of the Naresh Chandra Committee, the Government has decided that no landing charges shall be payable in respect of aircraft with a maximum certified capacity of less than 80 seats being operated by domestic scheduled operator at Airports of Airports Authority of India. Further, Government has formulated Route Dispersal Guidelines for expansion of air services and to improve air connectivity in all parts of the country. The Draft Civil Aviation Policy also provides for reduction in airports charges and exemption from service tax on  tickets for a period of 10 years for operation under Regional  Connectivity Scheme.

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