Govt to encourage regional air connectivity: Patel

New Delhi, May 2 (UNI) New airlines which provide regional connectivity with a single metro city can expect some good concessions.

The new civil aviation policy will waive off landing, parking and navigational charges for their aircraft over the next few years.

''It is high time that we promote regional connectivity among B-class and C-class towns with 80-seater or less planes,'' said civil aviation minister Praful Patel. ''This way we can build incremental traffic and revenues in the long run.'' He said the new policy, which is due to be announced soon, will also reduce the minimum age of aircraft which can be imported into the country - from 15 years at present to about 10 years.

''We're in a pro-reform mode and are encouraging new players,'' said Mr Patel adding the overall passenger traffic figures show 40 per cent growth in first three months of current calender year.

The minister said route disbursal guidelines for existing airlines will continue for some more years. The rules make it mandatory for airlines to mount certain number of flights to non-economical routes in Jammu and Kashmir, and northeastern cities while connecting metro cities.

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