Government bid to boost regional air links

New Delhi: In a move that could boost connectivity, the government plans to make it mandatory for airlines to operate feeder flights into big cities from nearby places. Such a move would, in turn, make it mandatory for all scheduled carriers to have small turboprop aircraft in their fleet.
Aviation minister Ajit Singh recently said: "The idea is to have regional connectivity to the local hub. For example , there is a huge market around Delhi that would like to fly into the capital and then take connecting flights. We are planning to make it a must for airlines to have such flights." These feeder flights would be in addition to the existing norm of flying to the northeast and Kashmir. But would Indian airlines, all of whom are facing serious financial troubles and struggling to survive , be able to afford this move if it means buying small planes? At present, airlines like IndiGo and GoAir operate an all-Airbus fleet with no turboprops .
21/05/12 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: airports May 2012, New May 2012