Govt invites bids for flights on 4 routes

Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 18

Haryana’s version of the Centre’s UDAN (Uday Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme for connecting un-served or under-served airports is ready for take-off, with the state Civil Aviation Department all set to invite bids from airlines and airline operators to fly on four routes.

This comes on the back of delay in starting Hisar-Delhi and Hisar-Chandigarh flights by a bidder selected by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, prompting the state government to woo operators by offering incentives given under the UDAN scheme.

Taking a cue from Rajasthan and Gujarat, the Haryana Government will invite bids for four routes — Hisar-Jaipur-Hisar, Hisar-Chandigarh-Hisar, Hisar-Dehradun-Hisar and Hisar-Jammu-Hisar.

Under this proposal approved by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the state government will offer free landing, parking, including night parking to aircraft, and other facilities at the Hisar airport at no charge.

The state government will also offer subsidy for a fixed number of seats to attract passengers, as is applicable under the scheme which provides for the Centre and state governments to share the financial burden in the ratio of 80:20.

Under the state scheme, Haryana will bear the subsidy amount.

Haryana, on the lines of the UDAN scheme, has also decided to reduce VAT applicable on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 1 per cent for all airline operations. A proposal in this connection will be submitted to the Excise and Taxation Department.

“The state version of the UDAN scheme came about because our airport infrastructure is in place. Khattar and Civil Aviation Minister Rao Narbir Singh want the infrastructure to be optimally utilised. The scheme also has the in-principle approval of Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu. The financial implication will be up to a maximum limit of Rs10 crore per annum, dependent on the actual bidding as also the operating days,” said Devender Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation.

The state government may also work out an understanding with the Himachal Pradesh Government for operations between Haryana and select destinations in the hill state.