Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha from Punjab highlighted the lack of direct flights connecting Punjab to several key states across the country. During the ongoing session, Chadha questioned what he perceived as apparent discrimination against the state in terms of aviation connectivity.
Ministry Cites Deregulation of Aviation Sector
Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that the Indian domestic aviation sector has been deregulated since 1994. This deregulation allows airlines the freedom to select their routes and markets based on commercial considerations and compliance with government-issued guidelines, such as Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) and airport slot allocations.
Adampur Airport Development Under UDAN Scheme
Mohol also addressed the development of Adampur Airport in Punjab under the UDAN scheme. The airport, built with an investment of ₹124.91 crore, has seen the launch of flights connecting Adampur to Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Hindon. These flights were introduced as part of efforts to improve regional connectivity.
International Flights Governed by Bilateral Agreements
On the question of international flights, Mohol explained that operations are governed by bilateral Air Services Agreements (ASAs) between India and other countries. Indian carriers are free to operate flights, including from Amritsar, to destinations such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, as long as these align with mutually agreed capacity limits and are commercially viable.
Amritsar Airport: A Hub of Domestic Connectivity
The ministry also clarified that Amritsar airport facilitates 454 weekly arrivals and departures, serviced by major airlines including Indigo, Alliance Air, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa, SpiceJet, and Vistara. This ensures significant domestic connectivity for the region.
Raghav Chadha: Advocate for Punjab’s Aviation Needs
Raghav Chadha, a Member of Parliament from the Aam Aadmi Party, has been representing Punjab in the Rajya Sabha since 2022. His persistent efforts to address Punjab’s aviation concerns reflect his commitment to improving the state’s connectivity and accessibility.
This discussion highlights the need for greater focus on regional aviation needs and underscores the role of deregulated markets in shaping air connectivity across the country.