Govt to 'refine' UDAN framework

 The government is looking to “refine” the present norms for the regional air connectivity scheme as it prepares for the second round of bidding in three months, according to a senior official.

While the scheme became operational after the first flight from Shimla to the national capital, the authorities have started the groundwork to comprehensively review its framework, including those relating to the number of seats and exclusivity period for an airline.

The ambitious scheme — UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) — seeks to connect un-served and underserved airports and make flying more affordable for the masses.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra said that efforts are on to refine the norms for bidding under the scheme. The AAI is the nodal agency for UDAN.

“(Before) the second round of bidding, we will further refine (the scheme) after extensive stakeholder consultations,” Mohapatra said.

Noting that draft guidelines will be prepared before the next round of bidding, he said, “It is not necessary that terms and conditions in the first round of bidding would remain the same.”

The number of seats reserved for subsidised rates, exclusivity period given for an airline on a particular route, frequency of a particular flight and other aspects of UDAN will be looked into. After gathering views from stakeholders, including states and airlines, the draft guidelines will be put up for public comments before finalising the changes.