Centre may connect UDAN flights to more smaller cities

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is working on plans under which it is considering to allow flights under Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik or UDAN scheme for more smaller towns. The affordable regional flight scheme would now be extended to seasonal flights, according to a report in The Times of India.

"Allowing seasonal flights under regional connectivity scheme (RCS) is among the six changes being considered for which stakeholder views have been sought," TOI quoted aviation secretary R N Choubey as saying.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has also indicated it would rope in fixed wing planes for plying them on smaller routes under 150-km range in certain areas. It has also sought feedback on total number of seats available under the RCS plan.

"This would include conditions like whether the minimum number and maximum number of RCS seats could be stretched over a period of a week instead of a particular flight," the report said.

The ministry would also explore chances of bringing more number of under-served or unserved regional airports under the ambit of UDAN's RCS scheme. "This is being proposed to further encourage intra-regional connectivity," a government statement said.