New route dispersal norms for domestic carriers on the anvil

New Delhi: The government is set to overhaul the route dispersal guidelines (RDG) under which airlines are mandated to work unviable routes. Such routes mostly connect cities in the north-eastern region of the country, Jammu & Kashmir, the Andaman & Nicobar and the Lakshadweep islands.

The review comes in the backdrop of domestic airlines seeking relief in the amount of mandatory flying required of them to meet current guidelines. In this regard, the ministry of civil aviation last week asked domestic airlines to present their viewpoints for a revised route dispersal guideline.

The Federation of Indian Airlines, an association of airline operators in the country, was tasked with the job of collating the views of the industry and presenting it to the government.

As per the RDG it is mandatory for scheduled airlines to operate at least 10% of their trunk-route capacity deployment, which includes the top six metros, on Category II routes, which primarily connect the north-eastern region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.