New Delhi, Oct 29 (PTI) Air Deccan and Air Odisha willget a total of 10 slots at the Delhi airport for their flightsunder the regional connectivity scheme, according toofficials.
Both airlines bagged a significant number of routes inthe first round of bidding under the ambitious RCS, whichseeks to connect unserved and under-served airports.
Together, Air Deccan and Air Odisha were looking for 16slots for their proposed RCS flights from the airport here.
After extensive stakeholder discussions, DIAL has agreed toprovide a total of 10 slots to the two airlines, officialstold PTI.
When contacted, a DIAL (Delhi International Airport Ltd)spokesperson said, "DIAL has agreed to 10 slots for AirDeccan and Air Odisha under the regional connectivity scheme." One of the officials said Air Deccan and Air Odisha wouldget six and four slots, respectively.
Air Deccan was seeking 10 slots while Air Odisha'srequirement was for six.
Since the number of slots being offered is less thanrequired, both airlines would have to reduce the number offlights they plan to operate from the national capital, theofficial added.
Each airline would get one night parking slot.
The Delhi airport operated by DIAL, which is a jointventure company, is the busiest aerodrome in the country. Inthe winter schedule, starting today, it will offer 1,314slots to airlines.
Air Deccan and Air Odisha are awaiting their scheduledcommuter air transport services licences under the RCS.
In the first round of bidding in March this year, fiveairlines were awarded 128 RCS routes.
Air Odisha and Air Deccan had bagged the maximum numberof 50 and 34 routes, respectively. The two operators would beflying 19-seater Beachcraft B-1900D aircraft for RCS flights.
The winners of the routes in the first round, includingAir Odisha and Air Deccan, were given six months to startoperations and that deadline expired on September 30. Onaccount of various factors, the two airlines are yet to starttheir flights.
Earlier this month, a civil aviation ministry officialhad said the winners of the second round of bidding under theRCS were likely to be announced by mid-December. PTI RAM IASARDSBT.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.
