India is taking a significant step towards boosting regional air connectivity with a proposed public-private partnership for the development of an indigenous regional aircraft.
The Ministry of Aviation has held discussions with various Indian airline companies, and there is strong support for a made-in-India aircraft designed for short-haul flights with a range of 600-800 kilometers.
This initiative aligns with the government's broader strategy to expand India's Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) program.
With no government-owned airline currently operating, private-sector airline companies are playing a crucial role in shaping this initiative. They have expressed a clear preference for an indigenous solution tailored to the specific demands of regional air travel within India.
The Ministry of Aviation has indicated its willingness to support this project through subsidies or incentives to reduce acquisition costs for airlines. This financial backing is considered vital to encourage airlines to choose the domestically produced aircraft over foreign alternatives.
To ensure the aircraft meets the operational needs of the Indian market, airline officials have been actively involved in providing feedback and recommendations to the Ministry.
This includes specifications on passenger capacity, fuel efficiency, maintenance requirements, and adaptability to diverse geographical and climatic conditions across India.
The next phase of the project involves consolidating these recommendations into a comprehensive design brief. This will guide the development team, which may comprise public sector undertakings, private manufacturers, or a consortium.
The government is aiming for a swift initiation of the conceptualization and design phase, followed by prototype development and testing.
This initiative holds immense potential for enhancing regional connectivity within India. A domestically produced regional aircraft could be a game-changer for the UDAN scheme, making air travel more accessible and affordable for a larger segment of the population.
