New aviation policy comes as ray of hope for Bathinda

The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s proposal on a subsidy to popularise airlines on non-metro routes by bringing down the cost of air travel has come as a ray of hope for the commencement of flights from Bathinda airport. The airport is ready but it is lying unused for the past three years.
Rakesh Kalra, regional executive director in the Airport Authority of India (Northern Region), said, “Bathinda airport will definitely benefit under the mandate from the Prime Minister as a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy to assist the common masses to fly.
“Many airports like ours are fully equipped to take load of commercial flights. These can come to life.”
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has spent Rs 25 crore for constructing a civil enclave adjoining Bhisiana Air Force Station. Except for the existing building of the AAI, the runway, air traffic and emergency services are in the domain of the Air Force.
Despite repeated assurances by Cabinet minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on different fora about commencement of the flights “very soon”, the AAI has not received any proposal in this regard.
“In fact, no airline has even made a routine query from us,” Kalra said.
The policy under consideration of Parliament attempts to attract customers by bringing down rates of one-hour flying on non metro routes (like Bathinda) to just about Rs 2,500 by charging a little extra on domestic flights (on metro routes) and also international flights.
Kalra said, “Kanpur airport, which had witnessed domestic flights some time ago, has closed its services because of no takers. Similarly, the airport commissioned at Shimla recently too can expect scheduled flights under the new policy with slashed rates.”

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