Helicopter Service in NE States

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country including North Eastern States.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, according to these guidelines, all scheduled operators are required to deploy in the North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep (Category-II routes) at least 10% of their deployed capacity on trunk routes (Category-I routes). Further at least 10% of the capacity thus required to be deployed on Category-II routes, is required to be deployed for connectivity exclusively within these regions (Category-II A). However, airlines provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines.

Shri Ghatowar said, further, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted initial No Objection Certificate (NOC) to M/s. North East Shuttle to operate scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services in East/North-East Region.

Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being operated by airlines concerned on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route Dispersal Guidelines, the Minister added.