To boost regional air connectivity, government is likely to finalize the ambitious Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) by this month. The scheme aims to connect remote areas by operationalising unserved and underserved airports. RCS refers to operation of an air transport service between any two airports, of which at least one has been declared by the central government as unserved or under- served.
Government also issued draft rules proposed to be part of the Aircraft Act with respect to RCS and has sought public comments on the draft rules under the amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 for incorporating provisions related to RCS. As per the draft rules, government may establish the Regional Air Connectivity Fund for the purpose of providing viability gap funding to aircraft operators to promote regional air connectivity. The fund would be administered and utilised in the manner as may be specified by the central government.
In order to fund the RCS Fund, the central government may impose a levy on scheduled flights being operated within India at such rates as the central government may notify having regard to the seating capacity of the aircraft used for the scheduled flights and the routes on which such flights are operated. Last week, the government notified excise duty of 2 per cent for jet fuel purchased from airports that come under RCS. Under the scheme, announced in the new civil aviation policy, the government has proposed capping fares at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights on unserved and underserved routes besides various financial concessions for airlines.
Start Research-backed Investing ...Now. Subscribe to Sapphire
MoneyWorks4Me is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (IA) dedicated to helping investors build long-term wealth through transparent, research-driven, conflict-free guidance. Founded in 2008, we started our journey as a Research Analyst (RA), providing deep fundamental analysis, intrinsic value insights, and long-term investing frameworks for Indian equities. In 2017, we transitioned to a full-fledged SEBI-registered Investment Adviser, strengthening our commitment to acting as a fiduciary—always putting the investor’s interest first.
To become India’s most trusted, research-powered fiduciary advisory platform—where every investor, regardless of experience, can make calm, confident, and well-reasoned investment decisions.
MoneyWorks4Me ensures this through: