Aviation body plans 7 new direct routes to major cities

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) plans to enhance direct air connectivity of the Himalayan state with major metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi, under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme. Recently, UCADA issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to airlines, inviting them to operate on seven new domestic routes.The initiative includes offering Viability Gap Funding (VGF) subsidies, either based on a cost-minus-revenue model or a fixed VGF per seat for unsold tickets.
“We have initiated plans for direct flights to Chennai, Bhopal, and Patna from Jolly Grant Airport, while Pantnagar will have direct connections to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, and a direct flight between Pithoragarh and Delhi,” UCADA CEO C Ravishankar said.
“These new routes are part of Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme, which aims to incentivise air operators by providing financial support through VGF scheme to expand both domestic and international air services in the state,” Ravishankar told TOI.
He added that the direct flights from Pantnagar to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata have been planned, considering expected traveller demand. “A direct flight from Mumbai will greatly benefit the business community involved with SIDCUL, while a direct connection to Bengaluru will ease the journey for trekkers heading to the Kumaon region. The Kolkata route will be particularly advantageous for tourists from West Bengal,” Ravishankar said.