All airlines like Air India, Jet Airways may get to operate flights under regional plan


The civil aviation ministry is likely to allow all airlines, including scheduled commercial airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways and others, to fly regional commercial flights that the government had announced in the new civil aviation policy.

The announcement to make all carriers eligible for regional routes is likely to be part of the final civil aviation policy that is likely to be out by January-end.According to the regional connectivity plan, announced in the draft aviation policy, the government aims to provide air connectivity between two smaller cities at a cost of Rs 2,500 per hour of flight. The civil aviation ministry had even announced a new category of airlines — schedule commuter airlines — to provide regional connectivity.


The announcement to make all carriers eligible for regional routes is likely to be part of the final civil aviation policy that is likely to be out by January-end.

"There was always a view that the regional connectivity plan should be open to all existing airlines — scheduled commercial and non-scheduled carriers — in the country. But the draft policy mentioned a new category just to take a view on the matter," said a senior civil aviation ministry official, who did not wish to be identified. Now, the thinking is to allow all airlines participate in the regional connectivity plan, the official explained.

The final draft of the policy is likely to be out by the end of January by when the Cabinet is expected to clear it. The regional connectivity plan is one of the key focus areas of the new civil aviation policy and the government is looking at fiscal incentives to make it a success. 

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