Govt aims for airports within every 150 km, or two hours of travel, to boost connectivity: Aviation minister

India is aiming to provide access to an airport within about two hours of travel, or roughly every 150 km, as the government looks to expand air connectivity beyond major cities, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said.

The 150-km distance would serve as a broad rule of thumb, with factors such as terrain and the availability of land determining where airports can be developed, Naidu said.

The government is also preparing to start seaplane operations between Kochi and Lakshadweep soon, he added.

Minister invites ATR to manufacture in India

Naidu also pitched India as a manufacturing base for aircraft and components, pointing to what he described as a $4 billion domestic aircraft-components industry and an established manufacturing ecosystem.

He urged Airbus to accelerate deliveries of aircraft already ordered by Indian airlines and invited ATR, the regional aircraft manufacturer jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo, to establish manufacturing facilities in India.

His comments come as Indian regional airline FLY91 placed an order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, valued at around $1 billion, as it prepares to expand its fleet and network.

AAIB report on Air India Phuket incident expected soon

On the Air India Phuket incident, Naidu said a preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected soon. Further action would be considered after the findings have been thoroughly checked and the report verified, he said.

The government is also considering changes to pilot testing, including a proposal for year-round testing beyond the 10% cohort currently covered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Naidu said any changes would have to strike a balance between strengthening safety and ensuring that airline operations are not disrupted.

Government monitoring airfares

The Civil Aviation Ministry is continuing to monitor airfares to prevent prices from rising excessively while ensuring that airline operations remain financially viable, Naidu said.

He cited the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, under which fares for 50% of seats are capped, as an example of the government’s approach to keeping air travel affordable.

Naidu also said the government has asked SpiceJet to “pull up its socks” and address its operational difficulties.

Separately, preparations are under way for a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit scheduled for November, including work related to questions around regulatory protocols, the minister said.