NEW DELHI: Not convinced by expansion plans by Indian carriers as to how they would deploy 749 new planes - largely mid size aircraft of the size of Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s - they have ordered, the government wants airlines to also utilise these aircraft on upcoming new domestic air routes, under the regional connectivity scheme aimed at connecting remote airports.
Top government sources said the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is simultaneously identifying potential airports under the regional connectivity scheme (RCS) project where runways can be developed and expanded to meet the operational requirement for these mid-sized planes.
The government was earlier expecting airlines to deploy small ATRs which are largely meant for covering short distance and are conducive for flying on RCS air routes. However as airlines have ordered for just 25 new small planes like the ATRs - of the total 749 new plane orders - this has forced the government to relook at their strategy and to push for deploying of mid size bodied planes on RCS routes. These mid size planes like Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s, account for over 85 per cent of the total 749 new aircraft ordered by Indian carriers and are lined up for deliveries by year 2020-21. Airlines have about 452 aircraft in their fleet as of now.
Ironically, airlines have themselves complained of lack of infrastructure and capacity constraints at existing airports in India, while on the other hand, they have ordered 749 new planes, which has brought in ambiguity amongst the policy makers. Official sources said airlines would also have to share their roadmap and plans for deploying their new planes to the government. “If airlines are largely adding mid size bodied planes to their fleet and we have capacity constraints at airports. Where do they fly then ? International destinations too are not very viable. So we are exploring if airlines can deploy some of their new plane which they could add to their fleet on RCS routes. By doing this they can can make a judicious use of their expansion plans.
But ultimately airlines have to take a call,” said a senior AAI official. MoS for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha has termed RCS as a game changer and said the response to bidding for the RCS project has been excellent. The government would now start for a reverse bidding on February 1. At least, 43 more airports will get regular flights under the RCS, which would increase operational airports from currently active 75 airports to 118 and would add 190 more routes under RCS services.
To give a push to RCS, the government is offering a financial stimulus through concessions like free parking of planes at airports, navigation and airport charges besides offering airlines with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to kick-off operations from the unserved and underserved airports. The difference in cost of operations borne by a carrier for covering underserved or unserved airports under RCS will be compensated through the VGF. While ATRs have a seating capacity of up to 40-45, mid size planes have 160 to 180 seats.