Udan Regional Connectivity Scheme to come true soon
Posted on: 05/May/2017 3:31:14 PM
As a move to support centre’s Udan Regional Connectivity Scheme that intends providing affordable air traveling and improve regional connectivity, people can very soon be able to fly in 18-72 seater planes between Chennai and Salem, and Neyveli and Hosur.
In the bidding for operating fights to collect small towns, the civil aviation ministry has picked Air Odisha Aviation Private Limited, Turbo Megha Airways Private Limited and Turbo Aviation Private Limited.
The air fare cap is set as 2500. The centre and state governments will provide financial support for the scheme which will cover about 50 percent seats on a flight. During a meeting held on Tuesday, the cabinet of Edapadi K Palaniswamy had endorsed the scheme. The state will also reduce VAT on turbine fuel by 1 percent apart from the 20 percent concession for viability gap funding for these routes in the state, said a senior government official.
It is likely that the state will sign an MoU with the aviation ministry. All the unused airports will be used for this purpose. For over 16 years, the Salem airport has been shut. As there was very poor patronage, the airlines did not come forward for running flights. In 2009, the Kingfisher Airlines had started its services, but withdrew in 2011.
