(a) whether Chennai-Cochin- Goa route of Air India has been cancelled by the Government;
(b) if so, the details and the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of private airlines are operating from this destination;
(d) whether the Government has assessed the approximate loss due to route cancellation; and
(e) the steps proposed to be taken to arrange the air services to the passengers?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION(SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) and (b): Subsequent to the merger of Indian Airlines and Air India into the National
Aviation Company of India Limited(NACIL),the Chennai-Cochin-Goa-Kuwait flight has been
restructured as Chennai-Goa-Kuwait flight with effect from 28th October, 2007.
(c): At present, no private scheduled airline is operating any flight on Chennai-Cochin-Goa
route.
(d): As per NACIL, the restructuring of the Chennai-Cochin-Goa route is
expected to yield savings as the revenue generated on these sectors did not meet the cost of
operations.
(e): The Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines 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.It is,however up to the airlines to provide air
services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability.
As such, the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to complaince
of route dispersal guidelines issued by the Government.