(a) whether the Union Government considers the desirability of involving State Governments for expansion of air services to the small cities/towns within the States;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government has sought views of some State Governments in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the response of the State Governments thereto; and
(e) the further action taken/proposed to be taken in the matter?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) to (e): Alliance Air, subsidiary of Indian Airlines has held preliminary discussions in this regard with the Governemnts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Indian Airlines has recently submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) against an advertisement issued by Government of Jharkhand for operation of air services to/from Ranchi and Jamshedpur under a subsidy scheme.