New Delhi: The Union government has put the onus on states to secure commitments from airlines to start operations before dormant airports can be revived.
The move follows the Centre’s ambitious plans to revive 50 dormant airports in three years.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has told the state governments that the first movers to bring a proposal for revival of airports will have an advantage as they will have priority in the limited central funds to be set up for the regional connectivity scheme.
“We have told states if they want their airports to be revived and connected under the regional connectivity scheme they must start working with the airlines and persuade them to choose one of the destinations in their state. If airlines show interest, we will start revival of the airports,” Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey said.
This message will be communicated in person through road shows which Civil Aviation Ministry officials may likely conduct in July, along with entrepreneurs and airlines, to sensitise states about the regional connectivity plans which are interlinked with revival of airports.
The Centre has proposed a regional connectivity scheme under which subsidy will be provided to airlines to set airfares on regional routes at Rs.2,500 for an hour’s flight. While the Centre is expected to contribute 80 per cent, of the costs incurred, through viability gap-funding (VGF) from the regional connectivity fund, the remaining 20 per cent will come from the states.
05/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
The move follows the Centre’s ambitious plans to revive 50 dormant airports in three years.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has told the state governments that the first movers to bring a proposal for revival of airports will have an advantage as they will have priority in the limited central funds to be set up for the regional connectivity scheme.
“We have told states if they want their airports to be revived and connected under the regional connectivity scheme they must start working with the airlines and persuade them to choose one of the destinations in their state. If airlines show interest, we will start revival of the airports,” Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey said.
This message will be communicated in person through road shows which Civil Aviation Ministry officials may likely conduct in July, along with entrepreneurs and airlines, to sensitise states about the regional connectivity plans which are interlinked with revival of airports.
The Centre has proposed a regional connectivity scheme under which subsidy will be provided to airlines to set airfares on regional routes at Rs.2,500 for an hour’s flight. While the Centre is expected to contribute 80 per cent, of the costs incurred, through viability gap-funding (VGF) from the regional connectivity fund, the remaining 20 per cent will come from the states.
05/06/16 Somesh Jha/The Hindu
