Question : Non-operational Airports

(a) whether there are several nonoperational airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to operationalise airports with the involvement of private sector and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to operationalize such defunct airports in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there is any plan to operate services from ready airports with the help of State Governments;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to improve air connectivity and infrastructure in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh?

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

(a): State/UT-wise list of non operational airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) is at Annexure.;

(b) to (f): Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme [Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)] in October, 2016 with the objective to facilitate/stimulate regional air connectivity to currently underserved and unserved airports by making it affordable. The revival of airstrips/airports is ''demand driven'', depending upon firm commitment from airline operators as well as from the State Government for providing various concessions. Government has received bid for operation of RCS flights from Darbhanga, Bihar and Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh in 2nd round of RCS bidding. Also during the Slot Coordination Committee Meeting held every six months airlines are requested to operate more flights from the airports where no flights or less number of flights are operating. Further, improvement of Infrastructure at airports is a continuous process, which is undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) from time to time depending upon the commercial viability, traffic demand, availability of land etc.