Government plans to put small towns like Salem, Kota, Jaisalmer on aviation map

NEW DELHI: The government's move to connect airports in smaller towns seems to be gathering pace with around three dozen locations with existing airstrips expected to be on the aviation map soon.
While no names have been finalized, places such as Salem, Kota, Jaisalmer and even Purnea and Bhagalpur may see local players fly small aircraft under a new scheme being discussed by the aviation ministry.

While the ministry would leave it to operators to decide on the sectors that they want to fly, it is considering easier rules and lowest possible burden on carriers, such as doing away with the need to furnish bank guarantees.

At the same time, it is keen to ensure that the gains of connectivity are not confined to pockets of prosperity such as those in the South or West. "The idea is to ensure a balanced spread across the country," civil aviation secretary R N Choubey told TOI, while indicating that there could be some caps at least in the first year. The government's strategy -which envisages capping airfares for those spending less than 60 minutes in air at Rs 2,500 and a 2% levy on other sectors along with concessions from the state and the Centre -is expected to take off over the next few weeks.

Choubey, who has been driving the new aviation policy, also said that the government would clearly articulate its stance on the 520 rule when the final document is released. "We have given three options but we are open to accept another formulation if someone suggests it."

The aviation secretary, however, dismissed suggestions of linking the removal of the 520 rule and doing away with the route dispersal guidelines, arguing that the two were not just introduced at different points in time but were also meant to serve different objectives.