New Delhi: The second round of the government’s regional airport development and connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) will be more successful than its first round, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Tuesday. It added that it has received 141 initial proposals for air services, including 33 for helicopter operations, on 502 routes. Helicopter operations were not part of the first round of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) at all. Not even a single bid was received for such operations.
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the second round of bidding attracted a “very good response” and that 17 players have come up with initial proposals. The government’s scheme, where fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights, seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports. “In 70 years of Independence, we had 70 active airports. With UDAN, we will make 80 more airports active within one year,” Raju said.
The initial proposals involve 502 routes to connect 126 airports, including helipads. These include 49 unserved and 15 under-served airports as well as 24 helipads, the ministry disclosed on Tuesday. Out of the total proposals, 108 are for flying fixed wing aircraft and 33 for operating helicopters. Details of the players were not disclosed. Sources said that big market players like IndiGo and SpiceJet have applied under UDAN-2.
Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said 20 applicants who want to operate airctafts under UDAN-2 have sought no viability gap funding (VGF). Operators participating in UDAN are eligible to get viability gap funding, but operators who don’t seek VGF will get preference during final allotment of routes. “UDAN is on right track,” Raju said.
To Read the News in Full 14/11/17 New Indian Express
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the second round of bidding attracted a “very good response” and that 17 players have come up with initial proposals. The government’s scheme, where fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights, seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports. “In 70 years of Independence, we had 70 active airports. With UDAN, we will make 80 more airports active within one year,” Raju said.
The initial proposals involve 502 routes to connect 126 airports, including helipads. These include 49 unserved and 15 under-served airports as well as 24 helipads, the ministry disclosed on Tuesday. Out of the total proposals, 108 are for flying fixed wing aircraft and 33 for operating helicopters. Details of the players were not disclosed. Sources said that big market players like IndiGo and SpiceJet have applied under UDAN-2.
Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said 20 applicants who want to operate airctafts under UDAN-2 have sought no viability gap funding (VGF). Operators participating in UDAN are eligible to get viability gap funding, but operators who don’t seek VGF will get preference during final allotment of routes. “UDAN is on right track,” Raju said.
To Read the News in Full 14/11/17 New Indian Express
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