(a) whether the Government has mandated the mechanism to ensure the inclusion of non-metropolitan routes in air-traffic, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether such mechanisms are based on an incentive-based or target system;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has notified the mechanism to build low-cost airports in small towns and cities and if so, the details thereof?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)
(a) to (c): Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG) with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the Country.
The guidelines specifies that all scheduled operators, including private airlines, are required to deploy in the North Eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand (Category - II routes) at least 10% of their deploye capacity on trunk routes (Category - I routes). Further, at least 10% of the capacity thus required to be deployed on Category - II routes, is required to be deployed for connectivity exclusively within these regions. 50% of the capacity deployed on Category - I routes is to be deployed on routes other than Category - I and Category - II routes i.e. Category - III routes.
Scheduled domestic airlines are free to deploy their services on any domestic sector / route subject to the compliance of RDGs issued by the Government.
(d): The draft Civil Aviation Policy proposes revival of airstrips in unserved and underserved Tier-II and Tier-III Cities.