Centre to start smaller aircraft services to hilly areas under UDAN scheme

New Delhi, September 22: Under the second phase of UDAN scheme, the centre is planning to start helicopter and smaller aircraft services to hilly areas, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.

 

Civil Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha said that special consideration has been given to hilly areas, north-east, Andaman and Nicobar Islands to operate helicopters and smaller aircraft in the second phase.

Under the scheme at an event in Chennai Airport on Wednesday, the Minister inaugurated the Chennai-Mysuru sector flight service by a private operator.

Minister said that under the first round, the government was able to add around 30 new airports. Hoping that during the second phase of UDAN there will be better participation from the airlines. He said adding more international routes from southern cities like Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli the centre was also working.

Under the regional air connectivity scheme, the government had announced increasing viability gap funding for helicopter operators and allowing smaller planes, among other concessions last month. The second phase of UDAN seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports as well as make flying more affordable with fares capped at Rs. 2,500 for one-hour flights.