How you fly, where you fly and how much you pay could all change soon. The Draft National Civil Aviation Policy 2015, announced on Friday, has a slew of measures to make air travel in India faster, easier and—hold your breath—even cheaper! Here are the highlights:
Better regional connectivity
The policy aims to improve connectivity to small town India by developing no-frills airports and encouraging airlines through concessions. Free land for airports, supporting transport infrastructure, VAT relief and even viability gap funding for smaller airlines are part of the plan. From 1 April 2016, the government wants to cap all-inclusive air-fare for a one-hour flight on some regional routes to Rs2,500.
More helicopters and seaplanes
India has only 300 civilian choppers as compared to 1300 in Brazil, says the draft ruefully, and lists “promotion of helicopter usage” as one of the key objectives. The government will develop four (unspecified) heli-hubs across the country, and will ease flying rules for choppers. In addition, it plans to promote use of seaplanes for tourism and regional travel.
More local airlines
It will easier for scheduled commuter airlines to set shop and fly. Rules for entry will relaxed, and parking, navigation and other charges will be subsidised to allow smaller airlines to take wing.
Easier private charters
The jet-setting folk may have a bit less to grumble about. Aircraft coming into India will be allowed to land at any airport with customs and immigration facilities. Passengers coming on an inbound charter flight will be free to shift to scheduled carriers for travel within India or abroad and vice versa. The government also hopes to ease several other restrictions on chartered flights in India.
30/10/15 Salil Deshpande/Conde Nast Traveller
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Better regional connectivity
The policy aims to improve connectivity to small town India by developing no-frills airports and encouraging airlines through concessions. Free land for airports, supporting transport infrastructure, VAT relief and even viability gap funding for smaller airlines are part of the plan. From 1 April 2016, the government wants to cap all-inclusive air-fare for a one-hour flight on some regional routes to Rs2,500.
More helicopters and seaplanes
India has only 300 civilian choppers as compared to 1300 in Brazil, says the draft ruefully, and lists “promotion of helicopter usage” as one of the key objectives. The government will develop four (unspecified) heli-hubs across the country, and will ease flying rules for choppers. In addition, it plans to promote use of seaplanes for tourism and regional travel.
More local airlines
It will easier for scheduled commuter airlines to set shop and fly. Rules for entry will relaxed, and parking, navigation and other charges will be subsidised to allow smaller airlines to take wing.
Easier private charters
The jet-setting folk may have a bit less to grumble about. Aircraft coming into India will be allowed to land at any airport with customs and immigration facilities. Passengers coming on an inbound charter flight will be free to shift to scheduled carriers for travel within India or abroad and vice versa. The government also hopes to ease several other restrictions on chartered flights in India.
30/10/15 Salil Deshpande/Conde Nast Traveller
