(a) whether the Government proposes to make expansion of airports in smaller cities throughout the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the name of the airports to be expanded in the next three years;
(c) whether the Government with the help of Air Force also proposes to provide air services at night on airports in Noida and military airports like Jodhpur;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor along with the plan of the Government in this regard?
The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)
(a) & (b): Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) in October, 2016 with the objective to facilitate / stimulate regional air connectivity to currently underserved and unserved airports in the country, including those in the smaller cities. The expansion of airports under the scheme is ''demand driven'', depending upon firm commitment from airline operators as well as from the State Government for providing various concessions. ;
;
(c) to (e): Improving the infrastructure, including provision of air services at night at the airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority of India (AAI) depending upon commercial viability, traffic demand, operational requirements, demand from airlines, technical feasibility/ willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc.