In a recent Advisory Group meeting led by Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, discussions centered around improving airline performance and services, particularly for tier 2 and tier 3 cities like Ayodhya and Surat.
The minister emphasised the need for airlines to enhance On-Time Performance (OTP) and instructed the Airports Authority of India to reassess technical specifications at VFR-equipped airports for improved OTP.
Scindia also scrutinised the self-monitoring mechanism regarding airfares, urging airlines to maintain reasonable fares on specific routes. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Tariff Monitoring Unit will consistently monitor airfares on randomly selected routes.
To strengthen international connectivity for tier 2 and tier 3 cities, such as Ayodhya and Surat, the Minister urged airlines to submit detailed aircraft induction and deployment plans for the next six months. Emphasising point-to-point direct connectivity, the focus is on expanding capacities with both wide-body and narrow-body-long-range aircraft.
The meeting included Gen (Retd) Dr. V. K. Singh, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation & Road Transport and Highways, Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), and other senior officials.
