(a) whether the number of flights operating from the Gorakhpur airport is very
low;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is considering to increase the operation of flights from
the above airport;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps being taken to improve the infrastructural facilities at the said airport?
MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION(SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a)and (b):- The scheduled domestic air services to/from Gorakhpur are available from Delhi
only. At present only Jet Airways is operating 5 flights per week on the Delhi-Gorakhpur-Delhi
sector.
(c) and (d):- Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being
operated by concerned airlines on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of
Route Dispersal Guidelines. Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to
achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air
connectivity of different regions of the country including North-East region. It is, however,
up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand
and commercial viability while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines.
(e):- Gorakhpur Airport belongs to Indian Air Force (IAF). Airports Authority of
India (AAI) maintains Civil Enclave having an area of 0.71 acres to handle civil
operations. Anticipating increase in air traffic in the area, AAI has projected
additional land requirement of 3.26 acrs to the IAF. Meanwhile, Government of
India has accorded in-principle approval for a new Greenfield airport in the area at
Kushinagar which is 50 kms from Gorakhpur airport. However the decision to
improve infrastructure facility at Gorakhpur Airport shall depend upon the
aviation growth, projection of air traffic for the area, air traffic pattern and subject
to availability of land by IAF.