Question : Increase in Number of Domestic Air Passengers

(a) whether the Government is taking steps to increase the number of domestic air passengers in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there has been a growth in domestic air traffic during the last three years in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of new towns and cities in the country connected by air travel during the last three years;

(d) the cities and towns in the country having airstrips but no air travel facility till now; and

(e) the strategy chalked out to develop the infrastructural facilities at the airports in the country keeping in view the increase in the number of
flights as well as air passengers and the success achieved by the Government as a result thereof so far?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a):Government has formulated Route Dispersal Guidelines for expansion of air services and to improve air connectivity in all parts of the Country including the un-served and under served areas. The Government has taken several measures to help the industry so that benefits percolate down to common man. These steps are persuading State Governments to reduce VAT on ATF, allowing direct import of Aviation Turbine Fuel by Indian Carriers as actual users, permitting foreign airlines to participate upto 49 percent in the equity of scheduled air transport undertaking, allowing ECB for working capital requirement of airline industry for a period of one year subject to a total ceiling of US $1 billion and tax concession for parts of aircraft and testing equipment for third party maintenance, repair and overhaul of civil aircraft.

(b) Growth in domestic air traffic during the last three years in the country is as under:

Year Passengers(In Lakh) Growth over the previous year (%)
2012 588.19 -5.2
2013 614.25 5.2
2014 673.83 15.5
2015 up to Oct 660.60 as against 550.69 Lakhs 19.96
during the corresponding period of
previous year

(c): Seven new towns and cities viz.Cuddapah, Nanded, Agra, Pantnagar, Durgapur, Car Nicobar & Ponducherry have been connected via air travel in the last three years.

(d): As per the information available there are 153 non-operational airstrips/ airports in various cities and towns of the country.

(e) Upgradation and modernization of airstrips/ airports is an ongoing process depending upon the traffic potential, demand from airline operators, commercial viability etc. Hence, Ministry of Civil Aviation & respective airport operators takes initiative to upgrade the airports at regular intervals.