Centre to start helicopter services to hilly areas

The Centre is planning to start helicopter and smaller aircraft services to hilly areas, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands under the second phase of UDAN scheme. 

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said in Chennai that in the second phase, special consideration have been given to hilly areas, north-east, Andaman and Nicobar Islands to operate helicopters and smaller aircraft. 

The Minister inaugurated the Chennai-Mysuru sector flight service by a private operator under the scheme at an event in Chennai Airport on Wednesday.Hoping that there will be better participation from the airlines during second phase



of UDAN, he said under the first round, the government was able to add around 30 new airports. 

He said the Centre was also working on adding more international routes from southern cities like Coimbatore and Tiruchirapalli.

Last month, the government had announced increasing viability gap funding for helicopter operators and allowing smaller planes, among other concessions, under the regional air connectivity scheme.

The second phase of UDAN seeks to connect unserved and under-served airports as well as make flying more affordable with fares capped at Rs. 2,500 for one-hour flights.