Capping the fares at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights that connect an unserved airport, Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju today gave wings to aam-aadmi’s air travel dreams.

“Today, we have given shape to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Vision of Regional Air Connectivity in India. Regional connectivity is the corner stone of our civil aviation policy. It shall promote affordable flying and balanced regional growth” tweeted the minister.

In another tweet he said, “RCS to be in operation for 10 yrs; individual route contracts to be for 3 yrs; Ltd period exclusive route rights to selected operator”.

“RCS Route networks to be encouraged to achieve economies of scale and optimal usage of aircraft,” he further added.

As per the policy, un-served and under-served airports would be revived to boost regional connectivity. Other measures include extending concessions, giving viability gap funding for operators as well as providing cost-effective security solutions by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and state governments. 

RCS is expected to be in place from the second quarter of the current financial year.

National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 was released last month with the aim to take flying to the masses by making it affordable and convenient, establish an integrated eco-system which will lead to significant growth of the civil aviation sector to promote tourism, employment and balanced regional growth.

(With input from PTI)