Air connectivity for Shimla under UDAN

Girja Shankar Kaura

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 30

Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and Bhatinda in Punjab would get air connectivity as the government today announced regional aviation routes and airlines after the first round of bidding under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik).

During an event here, Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha issued letters of award to five airline companies for their 27 proposals in the first phase of the scheme.

Announcing this, Gajapathy Raju said all flights in the first round would become active within four-six months. UDAN will have a positive effect on the economy in terms of employment and investment. The UDAN network will cover the whole country, giving a major economic boost to hinterland areas, the minister said.

Five airlines will operate on 128 routes under the regional connectivity scheme wherein fares are capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights.

Over 45 un-served and under-served airports will be connected under the scheme that seeks to make flying more affordable. A total of 27 served airports, 12 underserved airports and 31 un-served airports would be connected in the first phase of the scheme.

The operators whose bids have been accepted are Air India subsidiary Airline Allied Services, SpiceJet, Air Deccan, Air Odisha and Turbo Megha. They would be operating 19 to 78-seater aircraft. The airports that would be connected under UDAN include Bhatinda, Puducherry and Shimla.

Under UDAN, the operators would be extended viability gap funding. The amount is estimated to be around Rs 205 crore per annum for the operators chosen in the first round of bidding.

On each flight, 50 per cent of the seats would have a cap of Rs 2,500 per seat per hour.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said the scheme provides for various benefits, including no airport charges and three-year exclusivity on the routes.