(a) whether Government has a proposal to bring more and more small cities under the air map;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether plan has been prepared to develop the additional number of airports in those cities and to identify the airlines which are willing to operate aircraft to those cities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a),(b),(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) have decided to take up developmental works in coordination with the State Governments at some of the unused airstrips. This would facilitate air connectivity to small cities.
The non-operational airports at Akola, Coochbehar, Cuddapah, Kolhapur, Mysore, Sholapur, Warangal, Surat and Gondia are being developed on the request of airlines and State Governments.