Three companies, including Alliance Air, submit bids for north-east regional air carrier
02 Jul 2008
New Delhi: As many as three airlines, including state-run Alliance Air, have bid for a government tender to operate a dedicated regional air carrier for the north-eastern states. "Three airlines have participated in the tender for the regional airline," minister for development for the north-eastern region Mani Shankar Aiyer told the media.
Alliance Air is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines, entities that are currently merged with Air India under a holding company, the National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL).
Other than Alliance Air, two other companies, Universal Empire and Ace Airlines, have submitted offers to set up the new airline. Under terms of the contract, the new dedicated regional airline will be expected to start operations by the end of the year. The winning bidder will also be eligible for subsidies from the North Eastern Council.
Guwahati will be the hub of the regional airline.
Currently, the region boasts of 11 operational airports, including Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Jorhat, Silchar, Dimapur, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl and Bagdogra. Another 12 new airports are expected to become operational by the end of 2008.
At least, 25 new airports are expected to come up over the period of the 11th Five Year Plan.
By the end of 2009, the ministry for development for the north-eastern region (DoNER) visualises as many as 400 flights connecting the region every month.
