Question : Cheaper Domestic Air Service

(a) the details of the steps taken by the Government for making the domestic air services cheaper during the last several years;

(b) the number of aviation companies which have been permitted to operate domestic air services at present including the details in this regard;

(c) whether other aviation companies are also being identified for operating domestic air services; and

(d) the number of proposals in this regard lying pending with the Government as on date and the names of the airlines companies whose proposals are pending including the details thereof?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a): In order to provide affordable air services Government has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) which is a market driven mechanism and supported by Central Government, State Governments and Airport Operators. Development of regional air connectivity routes is left to the market forces such that airlines undertake assessment of demand and nature of supply required on particular routes and lead the process under RCS - UDAN.;

(b): Following Scheduled Domestic Air Transport Services has been permitted to operate domestic air services:;
Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, Jet Airways, Jet Lite, Indigo, Spicejet, Go Air, Air Asia, Vistara, TruJet, Air Deccan, Air Odisha, Zoom Air.;

(c) & (d): Any interested applicant can apply to the Government for Scheduled, Non-scheduled and Scheduled Commuter Air Transport Service under the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements. Further any eligible interested airline operators may participate in the bidding process to be conducted by the Implementing Agency from time to time for award of routes under RCS-UDAN.