New route dispersal norms to take wings

New Delhi: The government is considering an overhaul of the route dispersal guidelines (RDG) that mandate airlines to fly unviable routes connecting cities in the north-eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
The review may involve re-categorisation of 25-odd cities, changing the geographical spread of the RDG. Domestic airlines have been seeking relief in terms of the amount of mandatory flying required to meet the guidelines.
The ministry of civil aviation set the ball rolling in the direction last week by asking domestic airlines to give their viewpoint on the revised route dispersal guidelines. Federation of Indian Airlines, the association of airline operators in the country, would be collating the views of the industry and present it before the government.
The basic guidelines were framed back in 1994 and have been tweaked every two-three years by adding more stations or routes to the list.
The RDGs make it mandatory for scheduled airlines to operate a certain number of flights to a particular region. For instance, airlines must operate at least 10% of their trunk-route capacity deployment — that includes top six metros — on Category II routes that are meant to connect the north-eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
28/05/07 Sudipto Dey/Economic Times

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Categories: General Aviation May 2007