Private Charters May Be Allowed To Convert To Scheduled Airlines

To promote air travel in hitherto unconnected destinations, the government is considering allowing non-scheduled air operators (NSOPs) and air-charter firms to convert to scheduled operators to fly on routes not touched by existing airlines.

A major relief being considered is that the NSOPs, which are granted scheduled operators' permit, would not attract customs duty for importing aircraft. They would be allowed to have codeshare with existing scheduled airlines or with other such NSOPs, official sources said.

The proposal to allow NSOPs to be converted into scheduled commuter or shuttle services has been recently moved by the aviation regulator DGCA to encourage air connectivity in and out of Tier-II and Tier-III cities, they said.

While scheduled airlines operate flights as per schedules drawn up for several months or even years and are committed to flying during these periods on these routes, an NSOP or a charter operates irregularly and may be planned a short time before a flight. The NSOPs have also to be assured of a full load of passengers.

There are currently about 130 NSOPs which are registered with the DGCA.

The proposal, now being vetted by the government, comes in the wake of some state governments, like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal, initiating moves to provide intra-state air connectivity by giving various sops to private aviation firms.