Situation Not Worrisome at Present, But We Need to Remain Alert: Aviation Minister

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said India must remain prepared to handle any possible fallout from the escalating crisis in West Asia, while noting that the current situation is not a cause for concern.

Speaking to reporters during his first visit to Ranchi, the minister said the government and key sectors, including aviation, are closely monitoring developments and preparing strategies to address any potential impact.

"The situation is not worrisome at present, but we need to remain alert. Every sector, including civil aviation, has to assess the impact and prepare short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies," he told reporters.

Addressing concerns over rising airfares amid global uncertainty, Naidu said the Centre has already taken steps to prevent additional financial burden on passengers.

He said aviation turbine fuel prices have been reduced along with landing and parking charges at airports to help stabilise fares and support the aviation sector.

What steps is the government taking to stabilise airfares and support passengers?

He also referred to the Delhi Government’s decision to cut value-added tax on aviation turbine fuel from 25 per cent to 7 per cent.

"Nearly five lakh passengers travel daily on domestic routes. We are continuously monitoring airfares. If demand rises, we will increase connectivity and deploy more aircraft," Naidu said as reported by PTI.

During his visit, the minister launched several passenger-centric initiatives at Birsa Munda Airport. He also announced that a modified version of the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, will soon be rolled out with an estimated allocation of around Rs 29,000 crore.

Under the revised scheme, India is expected to develop 100 new airports and 200 helipads over the next decade. To further enhance passenger convenience, Udan Yatri Cafes will be introduced at all airports to provide affordable food options.

The Union Cabinet had on March 25 approved the launch and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme, Modified UDAN, for a period of 10 years with budgetary support from the Government of India.

Highlighting the Centre’s aviation roadmap, Naidu said airport modernisation and improved connectivity with major cities remain key priorities, adding that the government is committed to making air travel more accessible and comfortable.

“In the last 10 years, airports, passengers and aircraft have doubled. From only 74 airports in 2014, the country now has 165. No other country saw such a boost in airports. This could be possible only through the PM’s ‘Hawai Chappal to Hawai Jahaj travel’ mantra,” he said as quoted by news agency IANS.