Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu highlighted the importance of vigilance in light of the deteriorating geopolitical conditions in West Asia. He reassured that the current developments do not pose immediate concerns for India. Naidu stated that various sectors, including aviation, are closely monitoring the situation and devising strategies to mitigate any potential impacts.
Amid global uncertainties leading to escalating airfares, the minister mentioned that measures have been implemented by the government to alleviate the financial burden on passengers. Notably, reductions in aviation turbine fuel prices, as well as airport landing and parking charges, have been initiated to support airlines and stabilize fares.
Naidu also acknowledged the Delhi Government’s recent decision to slash the value-added tax on aviation turbine fuel from 25% to 7%. He highlighted the significance of continuous monitoring of airfares, emphasizing readiness to enhance connectivity and fleet capacity in response to increased demand.
During his visit to Ranchi, the minister launched passenger-centric initiatives at Birsa Munda Airport and announced the forthcoming rollout of an enhanced version of the UDAN Scheme with an estimated allocation of approximately Rs 29,000 crore. The revised scheme aims to establish 100 new airports and 200 helipads within the next decade.
The government’s plans include the expansion of the “Udan Yatri Cafe” initiative across airports to offer cost-effective food choices for travelers. Naidu underscored the government’s focus on airport modernization and enhanced connectivity with major Indian cities as key priorities. He highlighted the significant growth in airports, passengers, and aircraft over the past decade, attributing this progress to the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming travel from “Hawai Chappal to Hawai Jahaj.”
