Regional Connectivity Fund, RCF, UDAN - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: 50

Explanation:
The implementation of the regional air-connectivity scheme, UDAN, will see the number of operational airports in the country shoot up by over 50.

The cost of travelling will come down to as low as ?2,500 for up to an hour of air journey.

Currently, there are 75 small operational airports in the country, and this number will increase to over 125 with the successful implementation of UDAN.

UDAN or (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) - the new scheme through which the government hopes to make flying viable to Tier II and III cities is being implemented for building new airports, adding new terminals and improving the efficiency of existing terminals,

Drawing reference to Jharkhand, Centre will be able to connect all major cities of the State in 1-2 years.

With air traffic growing by over 20 per cent, there will be “capacity constraints”, he said, but the Centre is taking all possible actions to ensure decongestion and utilisation of existing capacities.

Cost of flying is progressively coming down because of technology and if oil prices come down, this will be an affordable transport for the masses

Disruption in mass transport is also on the anvil with companies such as Hyperloop proposing new-age rapid-transit options.

Benefits of UDAN: Know More

• The scheme ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development. It would provide a win-win situation for all stakeholders - citizens would get the benefit of affordability, connectivity and more jobs.
• The Centre would be able to expand the regional air connectivity and market.
• The state governments would reap the benefit of development of remote areas, enhance trade and commerce and more tourism expansion.
• For incumbent airlines there was the promise of new routes and more passengers while for and start-up airlines there is the opportunity of new, scalable business.
• Airport operators will also see their business expanding as would original equipment manufacturers.

About UDAN


• The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
• The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.
• UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity.

ANSWER: Jubbarhatti

Explanation:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme from Jubbarhatti, an airport on the outskirts of Shimla.

‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ means ‘the common man flies’.

He flagged of the first UDAN flight under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) on Shimla-Delhi sector. UDAN flights on Kadapa–Hyderabad, and Nanded-Hyderabad sectors were also flagged off.

Around 45 unserved and under-served airports are set to be connected under UDAN scheme to make flying more affordable.

The airports to be connected under UDAN include Bhatinda, Bhavnagar, Durgapur, Jaisalmer, Puducherry, and Shimla.

Under this scheme, five operators will operate flights services on 128 routes that will connect 70 airports through 19-78 seater aircrafts. The operators are Air India subsidiary Airline Allied Services, Air Deccan, Air Odisha, Turbo Megha, and Spice Jet.

As per the modalities of the scheme, airfare for a one-hour journey of 500 km has been capped at an all-inclusive charge of Rs. 2,500.

For longer routes and flight duration, the pricing will vary.

The scheme is expected to have positive effects on the economy in terms of employment and investment.

The scheme will also promote tourism and balanced regional growth.

UDAN: Know More

• The ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’ RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) was launched in October 2016.
  It is considered as a vital component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).
• The policy was released on June 15, 2016.
  The scheme has been launched to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
• This is first of its kind scheme and will be implemented for a period of 10 years.
• As of now, 128 routes have been identified and declared in the RCS map of India.

ANSWER: Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik

Explanation:
Centre on 21st Oct 2016 launched the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN or Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik which seeks to get people to fly in smaller towns

• The scheme is expected to launch by January 2017
• The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to unserved and underserved airports pf the country through the revival of airstrips and airports
• Scheme will be in operation for around 10 years
• This is a unique based market mechanism to build regional connectivity under which airlines will bid for seat subsidies
• Scheme promises affordability, connectivity, growth and development
• The scheme aims to increase ticketing volume from 80-300 million by 2022
• Under the scheme, airlines will have complete freedom to enter into code sharing with larger aviation airlines for connectivity and they will be exempted from various airport charges
• Airlines will get exclusive rights for three years to fly on a particular region route
• Airlines will get exclusive rights for three years to fly on a certain regional route
• Airfares will be capped at INR 2500 for an hour long flight on regional flights
• A financial stimulus will be given in the form of concessions from Central and State governments and airport operators
• Viability gap funding to the interested airlines to kick off operations from such airports so passenger fares are kept affordable
• Under UDAN interested airline and helicopter operators can start operations on unconnected rules by submitting proposals to Implementing Agency
• Selected airline operator will have a minimum of 9 and maximum of 40 UDAN seats
• Airport operators will not impose Land and Parking charges and Terminal Navigation Landing Charges in addition to discounts on Route Navigation Facility Charges
• A regional connectivity scheme is also in place