UDAN 4.0 to set up 4 airports, 6 water aerodromes in A&N, Lakshadweep

Adding to its initiatives to bolster the national connectivity infrastructure, the UDAN 4.0 scheme under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has invited bids for three unserved airstrips in Andaman & Nicobar Island and one unserved airstrip in Lakshadweep Island. The ministry has also recognized four Water Aerodromes locations in A&N and two in Lakshadweep that are now up for bidding. These efforts will, in the long run, provide aerial connectivity to the island regions. Under the UDAN 4.0 scheme, the MoCA is also providing an additional Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of around 25 per cent to the airlines.

The airports available for bidding under UDAN 4.0 include Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar, Shibpur (Andaman & Nicobar) and Agatti (Lakshadweep). The water aerodromes up for bidding include Hutbay, Long Island, Neil Island, and Havelock in Andaman & Nicobar, and Minicoy and Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. The route connecting Cochin to Agatti (in Lakshadweep) is currently operated by Alliance Air. The Ministry of Home Affairs intends to expand the number of airlines operating on this route. 

The government has also provided other incentives to the airlines, such as:

• Reimbursement of the VGF amount on Cochin-Agatti-Cochin route by the UT administration 
• For RCS routes, MoCA will bear 90 per cent of VGF and remaining 10 per cent by Andaman & Nicobar Island and Lakshadweep Islands for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) routes
• Excise Duty at the rate of 2 per cent only shall be levied on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), drawn by Selected Airline Operators at RCS Airport(s) for RCS Flights, for three years 
• Reduction of VAT to 1 per cent or less on ATF at RCS Concession Airports for ten years 
• Provision of minimum land, if required, free of cost and free from all encumbrances for development of RCS Concession Airports 
• Provision of free security and fire services at airports
• Provision of electricity, water and other utilities at substantially concessional rates at airports
• VGF will be provided for RCS Flights for a period of three years from the date of commencement of RCS Flight operations
• State Governments, at their discretion, may consider extending any additional support for the promotion of RCS flights

Concessions offered by the Airport / Water Aerodrome / Helipad operators are as follows:

• No landing and parking charges or any other charges on RCS flights including ASF / UDF charges among others
• 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
• Route Navigation and Facilitation Charges (RNFC) will be levied by AAI at a 42 per cent discount

Connectivity projects have gained priority for the Government of India as part of a broader initiative to boost the national economy. Over the next five years, the MoCA aims to operationalize 1,000 routes and more than 100 airports by focusing on operationalizing routes in priority areas. AAI will focus on developing no-frills airports in the future; routes connecting such airports will be prioritized. This will go a long way in boosting not only tourism but also the economic scenario in such places.