core sector communique

Air Traffic Witnessed 16.5 per cent Growth during Last Seven Years 

 Airports Operating Scheduled Air Services Increased from 50 in 2000 to 82 in 2011 

 Flights per week on Domestic Network up from 8724 in 2006 to 12107 in 2011

Ch. Ajit Singh, the Minister of Civil Aviation informed Lok Sabha today in a written reply that the air traffic has witnessed a growth of 16.5 per cent in India during 2004-05 to 2010-11 with domestic traffic clocking a cumulative annual growth rate of 18.5 per cent and international traffic at 14 per cent in the said period. Total flights/week on domestic network has been increased from 8724 in year 2006 to 12107 in year 2011. The number of airports operating Scheduled Air Services have increased from 50 in year 2000 to 82 in 2011. Total domestic passengers carried by all Scheduled and Non-Scheduled operators have increased from 362.37 lakhs in 2006-07 to 606.63 lakhs in 2011 (upto January 2011 to December 2011). 

 This has happened with reduction in airfares over the last seven years and introduction of new routes, which made air travel affordable for the common man. 

 The Minister further informed that the operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being operated by concerned airlines on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route Dispersal Guidelines. Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieving better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country including North-East region. It is, however, up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines. 

 Ch. Singh said in his reply that Government has already introduced a category of Regional Airlines. A Civil Aviation Requirements Section 3, Serios ‘C’, Part VIII has already been issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this regard, which is available on the website of DGCA. M/s Freedom Aviation, M/s Indus Airways, M/s Religare Aviation, M/s Air Pegasus, M/s ABC Training & Aviation Pvt. Ltd., M/s LEPL Projects Ltd., M/s Deccan Charters Ltd. And M/s Karina Airlines International Ltd have been granted initial No Objection Certificate to operate Scheduled Air Transport Regional Services in different regions of the country, the Minister informed.