(a) whether the Government proposes to start a number of regional airlines with a view to provide air connectivity to a number of small cities across the country;
(b) if so, the details and the present status thereof;
(c) whether these regional airlines are likely to be benefited after providing air connectivity to industrial centres in northern and eastern parts of the country; and
(d) if so, the time by which air services by these airlines are likely to be started in the said regions?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Dr. Mahesh Sharma)
(a) & (b) With a view to promote air connectivity within a region, expand air travel services for Tier II and Tier III (small cities) cities and between specific regions, Government has introduced a separate category of Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services in 2007. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Civil Aviation Requirements for Scheduled regional air transport service. M/s LEPL Projects Ltd (Air Costa) is operating Regional Airlines in Southern region of the Country. Recently, three firms have also been granted initial NOC to start Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services i.e.
(i) Air Carnival (Southern Region) on 24.6.2014
(ii) Zav Airways (North east & Eastern region) on 30.6.2014 and
(iii) Turbo Megha Airways Pvt. Ltd (Southern Region) on 18.7.2014.
(c) & (d) Presently there is no Regional Scheduled Airline operating in Northern and Eastern part of the country. However, Zav Airways has been granted initial NOC to start Scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services in North east & Eastern region on 30.6.2014. The company has to obtain Air Operator Permit from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) within 18 months to start actual operations.