First flight under RCS from May 2017: Jayant Sinha

NEW DELHI, Apr 15:
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha has said the first flight under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) is expected to start from May, 2017.
On the sidelines of an event here last night, Mr Sinha said technically flight under RCS has already started from Bhatinda and Kanpur as the concerned airlines have been given permission to fly under the RCS for their existing flights from both the places. But officially, the first new flight under RCS would commence operation from Shimla in the beginning of the May 2017.
Under RCS, also known as Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik(UDAN), the Government has included 33 new cities and has allotted 128 routes to several airlines.
These are the routes where less than seven flights are being operated in a week at the concerned airports.  Under the Scheme 50 per cent seats will be reserved for the fare of less than Rs 2,500 for a 500 kilometer flight whereas 50 per cent seats are open for market led fares to be fixed by the airlines.
In the scheme, there is a provision to compensate the airlines for their losses through viability gap fund. The Government has also given some concession to airlines in it.
Earlier during the TNH award ceremony, organized by Travel and Hospitality magazine, Mr Sinha asked the airlines companies to prepare “India Package” in close consultation with tourism and hospitality industry to attract more people towards development of the concerned industries.
He emphasized on Budhist Circuit and Jaipur Circuit where there is a huge scope. He said it is necessary to think out of box to attract more tourists in the country.
Government is doing its job and now industry must come forward to support it. It may be recalled that the regional connectivity scheme will be applicable on route length between 200 to 800 km with no lower limit set for hilly, remote, island and security sensitive regions.
The Central Government will provide concessions to the tune of 2 per cent excise on Value Added Tax (VAT) and service tax at 1/10th the rate and liberal code sharing for regional connectivity scheme airports. State governments will become key partners and provide free security and fire services. No landing charges, parking charges and Terminal Navigation Landing Charges will be imposed for regional connectivity scheme flights.  (UNI)

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