Delhi Airport allows UDAN flight operations from Hindon airbase
What's the story
GMR Infrastructure-led Delhi Airport has accepted the Centre's request to allow low-cost, regional flights to operate from Ghaziabad's Hindon Airforce Station from the coming winter season. Civil Aviation Ministry earlier requested the "capacity-constrained" Delhi Airport to permit alternative airports for hosting UDAN-backed flights. However, operating commercial flights within a 150-km radius of Delhi Airport is prohibited under a 2006 privatization agreement. Know more!
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Delhi Airport sets new conditions
Delhi Airport has agreed to Aviation Ministry's request but has set a few conditions. Sources said: "They (Officials) have said you can operate to Hindon but only till their (Delhi Airport's) capacity enhancement is over. Then the flights will have to return to Delhi Airport."
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DIAL to give out 80 additional flight slots to Hindon
A GMR spokesperson confirmed that Delhi International Airport Private Limited (DIAL) has agreed with Aviation Ministry's proposal. DIAL's conditions include using Hindon airbase as a "temporary and stopgap" arrangement until it expands and upgrades facilities at IGI Airport, which would have more terminals and new runway by 2021. DIAL has rights to allocate slots at Hindon, where only 80-seater flights would be allowed.
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Hindon shouldn't be used as future template
GMR said: "The consent given by DIAL is a one-off case, on the basis of specific request of MoCA and it shall not be construed as a pre-cursor for any other RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) Airports within the range of 150 km from IGI Airport."