The civil aviation ministry has decided to scrap the existing rule that makes it mandatory for domestic airlines to deploy 10 per cent of capacity on non-viable routes like the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Instead, the airlines willing to fly to routes considered non-viable would be given subsidy under the Essential Air Services Fund floated recently. This would be funded partly by the central government’s Budgetary support and partly by imposing a cess on passengers flying between the country’s metros. Also, state governments would be asked to underwrite some seats on these routes to support domestic carriers.

The list for non-viable routes (Category 2), apart from the current locations, would be extended and re-categorised to include other regional connections that do not make good money at present.

Key proposals in the govt’s new regional connectivity policy The 10% rule for airlines to fly to non-viable routes like the Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir to be done away with. Airlines to get subsidy through the Essential Air Safety Fund.

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