UDAN 4.0: Bids invited for 30 Airports/Airstrips, one Water Aerodrome in North-Eastern region

New Delhi: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has invited bids for 6 underserved and 24 unserved airports/airstrips in the North-East states of India under the UDAN 4.0 scheme, said a government statement. The ministry has also recognized one Water Aerodrome location that is up for bidding in the region. 

"The efforts are constantly being undertaken to provide aerial connectivity to the region. The move will not only boost tourism but will also transform economic situation of the region. Under the UDAN 4.0 scheme, MoCA is also providing additional Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of around 25% to the airlines," the statement said.

List of unserved Airports/Airstrips up for bidding under UDAN 4.0:

1. Arunachal Pradesh – Alinya, Along, Daparizo, Mechuka, Tuting, Vijaynagar, Walong, Yinghiong, Ziro

2. Assam –Chabua, Darrang, Dinjan, Ledo, Misa Mari,  Nazira, Sadiya, Sorbhog, Sukerating (Dum Duma) 

3. Meghalaya –Dwara, Shella, Tura

4. Tripura -Kailashahar, Kamalpur, Khowai

List of Underserved Airports / Airstrips up for bidding under UDAN 4.0:

1. Arunachal Pradesh –Passighat and Tezu

2. Assam – Jorhat, Rupsi, Tezpur

3. Meghalaya –Shillong

Water Aerodrome  up for bidding: Assam -Umrangso Reservoir

Other incentives to the airlines:

1. The Ministry of Civil Aviation will bear 90% of VGF (Viability Gap Funding) and the remaining 10% by North East state governments. Only Excise Duty at the rate of 2% only shall be levied on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), drawn by Selected Airline Operators at RCS Airport(s) for RCS Flights, for three (3) years from the date of notification, according to the statement.

2. Reduction of VAT to 1% or less on ATF at RCS Concession Airports located within the state for a period of ten (10) years from the date of notification.

3. Provision of minimum land, if required, free of cost and free from all encumbrances for development of RCS Concession Airports and also provide multi-modal hinterland connectivity (road, rail, metro, waterways, etc.) as required.

4. Provision of security and fire services free of cost at RCS Concession Airports. Provision of, directly or through appropriate means, electricity, water and other utility services at substantially concessional rates at RCS Concession Airports.

5. VGF cap has been enhanced in Udan 4.0 for operations of RCS flights in Priority Area(s) (Union Territories [UT] of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir; the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, North Eastern State; UT of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar). The VGF cap applicable for various stage lengths for operation has been enhanced (below 20 seater) small aircraft under the Scheme.

6. VGF will be provided for RCS Flights for a period of three (3) years from the date of commencement of RCS Flight operations
State Governments, at their discretion, may consider extending any additional support (such as marketing support) for the promotion of RCS Flights.

Concessions offered by airport/Water Aerodrome/Helipad operators:

1. Airport / Water Aerodrome / Helipad operators shall not levy Landing Charges and Parking Charges or any other charges on RCS Flights including ASF / UDF charges among others.

2. Selected Airline Operators shall be allowed to undertake ground handling for their RCS Flights. AAI shall not levy any Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on RCS Flights.

3. Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) will be levied by AAI on a discounted basis @ 42.50% of Normal Rates on RCS Flights.

4. The Ministry aims to operationalize 1000 routes and more than 100 airports in the next five years. This would be achieved by focusing on operationalizing routes in Priority Areas. 

5. AAI would focus on developing the no-frills airport in the future and routes connecting such airports would be prioritized for the award of VGF. The market would be incentivized to develop short-haul routes only, providing connectivity to nearby airports.