Thanjavur and Vellore will soon commence air operations under the central government’s regional air connectivity scheme-UDAN.
According to reports, the Tamil Nadu government finalised the bidding process with the airline operators.
Vellore airport needs upgradation since it has been unused for a long time and has a runway that can only handle 70-seater planes.The airstrip in Thanjavur is being used by the Indian Air Force and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has held discussions regarding land for commercial operations.
“Thanjavur and Vellore airports have been selected in the second phase. Bidding process with the airline operators is at the final stage and air operations are to be commenced early,” says a policy note on Transport, tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday by the State Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar, as per reports.The note also added that efforts are bring made to encourage investment in the other eight airports in Tamil Nadu.
Two airlines were awarded the rights to launch services in these routes in January under phase 2 of the UDAN scheme.
While Spicejet won the rights to launch services between Chennai and Thanjavur, Turbo Aviation won the rights to operate from Vellore.
Under phase 1 of the scheme, Chennai-Salem air service was inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on March 25. The Hyderabad-based Turbo Megha Airways Private Limited under the name of ‘Trujet’ operates the flights on that route.
As per reports, the Chennai-Hosur route is yet to begin operations since the Bengaluru international airport is yet to issue a ‘No Objection Certificate’ to commence operations.
The UDAN scheme was launched by the central government in 2017 with the aim of developing regional air connectivity.
Forty-three cities are expected to be connected to the mainstream air grid of the country while 31 airports that are not operational will be revamped and added to the grid, according to a report in The Hindu.