A company looking to begin regional air services will need to reach a fleet size of three aircraft within two years instead of the earlier stipulated one year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Tuesday. Only by the end of five years would the carrier be required to operate five aircraft against the earlier deadline of two years, the aviation regulator said as per a report in the DNA.

Strict norms on fleet size and other stringent conditions have stifled the growth of regional airlines in India so far. Though a comprehensive policy to promote regional airlines was devised in 2007, not a single such airline operates in the country.

Over the years, Star Aviation —- which wanted to begin services to smaller south Indian towns from Chennai —- didn’t get off the ground.

Former Meghalaya chief minister P Sangma’s airline Skyking received a no-objection certificate from the government, but its permit expired without it starting operations. Ditto for Jagson Airlines, which now operates only chopper services to select destinations.

Even state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters’ permit for regional connectivity lapsed.

A host of regional cargo services such as Flyington Freighters, Avicore etc also lost their NOCs but could not begin operations.

The latest concessions from the DGCA suggest a realisation of the futility of imposing strict conditions and are expected to help small interested players launch regional airlines, if approved.

Among others, MDLR, the fledgling airline started by a Haryana-based politician, could not revive regional operations under the old norms last year, but may now turn the corner.

Luan Airways, another new entrant in the business, is preparing to launch operations from Guwahati and another 3-4 projects are also in the pipeline.

But will the relaxed norms boost air connectivity to smaller towns?
Despite several attempts, a response from civil aviation secretary Nasim Zaidi or the director general of civil aviation, EK Bharatbhushan, on the status of regional airlines could not be obtained.

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