India Govt receives 45 proposals under UDAN from 11 bidders; covers 200+ regional routes
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation announced (18-Jan-2017) Airports Authority of India (AAI) received 45 initial proposals from 11 bidders covering over 200 regional connectivity (RCS) routes by the 16-Jan-2017 initial proposal deadline. The proposals include 65 airports, including 52 unserved and 13 underserved airports, "as per the provisions of the scheme". Counter bids are now invited against initial proposals until 01-Feb-2017. Routes will be awarded to bidders with the lowest requirement for viability gap funding (VGF). Ministry of Civil Aviation with AAI, State Governments, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security will ensure ground operations commence "with minimum time-gap after the bidding is completed". [more - original PR]