Question : KOCHI AGATTI AIR SERVICE .

(a) whether the Government has acquired small capacity ATR aircraft on lease basis for providing air services in various sectors;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there is any proposal to introduce ATR aircraft between Kochi and Agatti;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is considering concessional rate for native scheduled tribe passengers as offered in the North Eastern sector;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps being taken by the Government to improve the air connectivity between mainland and Lakshadweep and between the various islands?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a) and (b): Alliance Air has acquired 4 ATR 42-320 aircraft on dry lease basis for providing air services to/from and within North Eastern region.

(c): No, Sir. The existing airport at Agatti cannot support ATR operations. Besides, Indian Airlines/Alliance Air do not have the ATR aircraft as well as the crew to consider operation of service between Kochi and Agatti.

(d): Does not arise.

(e) and (f): There is no concessional rate for native scheduled tribe passengers in the North-East and no such proposal is under consideration for Lakshadweep. However, Indian Airlines has introduced special promotional fare on the sector Agatti-Cochin under the `Unckecked Fares Offer`.

(g): Indian Airlines is already connecting Lakshadweep with the mainland through 6 days a week Dornier services between Kochi and Agatti. Non-availability of suitable smaller capacity aircraft does not permit operation of inter-island services by Indian Airlines/Alliance Air in the Lakshadweep group of Islands. Government has included Cochin-Agatti route under Category II of the Route Dispersal Guidelines to facilitate augmentation of air services on this route.