(a) whether the Government is considering to allow flight operations at Military Airbases to increase domestic air connectivity;
(b) if so, the number of such Airbases and the time by which the flight operations are likely to be started, State-wise; and
(c) whether the Government is considering to provide exemptions in charges to Aviation companies in such new operations?
The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)
(a) and (b): Yes Sir, State-wise list of Defence Airports, used for civilian flight operations is enclosed as Annexure-I.;
;
(c): No exemptions are granted to Aviation Companies in Defence Airbases. However, if such airbase/civil enclave is an RCS airport, the exemption is allowed to Selected Airline Operators as provided under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). As per the scheme, Central Government, State Governments and airport operators provide following concessions to the Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) for connecting regional airports including the defence airports.;
1.Central Government :
i) Excise Duty at the rate of 2% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for SAOs at RCS Airports for RCS Flights for a period of three years from the date of notification of this Scheme.
ii) Freedom to enter into code sharing arrangements with domestic as well as international airlines pursuant to applicable regulations and prevailing air service agreements.
;
2.State Governments at RCS Airports within their States:
i) Reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 1% or less on ATF at RCS Airports located within the State for a period of ten years from the date of notification of RCS - UDAN.
ii) Provision of security and fire services free of cost at RCS Airports.;
3. Airport Operators:
i) Airport operators shall not levy Landing Charges and Parking Charges
ii) SAOs shall be allowed to undertake ground handling for their RCS Flights at all airports.
iii) Airports Authority of India (AAI) shall not levy any Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on RCS Flights.
iv) Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) will be levied by AAI on a discounted basis @ 42.50% of Normal Rates on RCS Flights.;
In addition to above, Central Government and State Governments provide VGF, which is shared between Ministry of Civil Aviation and the State Government in the ratio of 80:20 whereas for the States in NorthEastern region / Union Teritories (UT''s) the ratio will be 90:10.