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New Delhi. Oct. 22 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The Ministry of Civil Aviation took a major step today towards making flying a reality for the small town common man. The Civil Aviation Minister Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju launched the Ministry\u2019s much awaited Regional Connectivity Scheme \u201c UDAN\u201d in New Delhi today. UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market. It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies. This first-of-its-kind scheme globally will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the occasion Shri Raju expressed hope that the first flight under the scheme would be able to take off by January next year. He said the scheme had been prepared after a lot of stakeholder consultation and called for support from all players to make it a success.
\nAlso speaking on the occasion the Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha said that the objective of the scheme was\u00a0\u201cUde Desh Ka Aam Naagrik\u201d\u00a0He said this scheme ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development. It would provide a win-win situation for all stakeholders \u2013 citizens would get the benefit of affordability, connectivity and more jobs. The Centre would be able to expand the regional air connectivity and market. The state governments would reap the benefit of development of remote areas, enhance trade and commerce and more tourism expansion. For incumbent airlines there was the promise of new routes and more passengers while for and start-up airlines there is the opportunity of new, scalable business. Airport operators will also see their business expanding as would original equipment manufacturers. The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.<\/p>\n
The selected airline operator would have to provide a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40 UDAN Seats (subsidized rates)on the UDAN Flights for operations through fixed wing aircraft and a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 13 Seats on the Flights for operations through helicopters. On each such route, the minimum frequency would be three and maximum of seven departures per week. Route networks would also be encouraged under the scheme to achieve economies of scale and optimal usage of aircraft.<\/p>\n
The fare for a one hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would now be capped at Rs. 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths \/ flight duration.\u00a0This would be achieved through (1) a financial stimulus in the form of concessions from Central and State governments and airport operators and (2) a Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports so that the passenger fares are kept affordable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New Delhi. Oct. 22 (Punjab Post Bureau) – The Ministry of Civil Aviation took a major step today towards making flying a reality for the small town common man. The Civil Aviation Minister Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju launched the Ministry\u2019s much awaited Regional Connectivity Scheme \u201c UDAN\u201d in New Delhi today. UDAN is an …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":75841,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-english"],"yoast_head":"\n