India Civil Aviation Ministry releases Regional Connectivity Scheme

01-Jul-2016 Scheme to promote vibrant skies and trigger regional growth.With the twin objectives of promoting balanced regional growth and making flying affordable for masses, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for stakeholder consultation at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan today. The RCS was the key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy which was released by the Ministry recently on 15th June 2016. The scheme, which would be in operation for a period of 10 years, envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. This would be achieved through a financial stimulus in the form of Central and State government concessions, as well as Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports, so that the passenger fares are kept affordable. The fare for a one hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would now be capped at Rs. 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different lengths / duration.