In an attempt to improve connectivity to remote areas, the Government plans to introduce a new category of 87 incentive destinations including Warangal, Vellore, Tuticorin and Hassan.

The plan includes offering concessions for operating to and from the incentive destinations.

Airlines will be given sops which include exemption from landing and parking charges, route navigation facilities charges,  passenger service fee, fuel throughput charges and any other charges levied by the Airports Authority of India.

These suggestions have been made in a draft on the revised policy on regional and remote area connectivity. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has invited comments from all stakeholders by September 4 before a final decision is taken.

Ground handling

Among the other proposals are allowing airlines to do their own self-ground handling during operations at these airports. These concessions will initially be available for a period of three years from the date the policy becomes effective after which the Government will assess the policy’s “efficacy”.

The Ministry has also proposed that States look at establishing an air connectivity fund as a long term measure to provide necessary financial support to promote air connectivity to remote and strategic areas apart from reducing Value Added Tax on fuel uplifted from within the states and underwriting of some seats on these flights.  

Route dispersal norms

The Government also plans to make changes to the existing route dispersal guidelines by designating 30 routes including those between Chennai and Hyderabad, Bangalore-Pune and Delhi-Patna as trunk routes.

From now all routes, other than trunk routes, will be designated regional routes.