The Government kick-started the regional air connectivity (RCS) scheme  by inviting initial proposals from operators to fly to airports which do not have regular flights. Operators have a six-week window (till December 2) to submit their initial proposals. The Government will take two-three days to scrutinise the proposals and the entire process is likely to take 10 weeks to complete. “We hope to have the first flight (under RCS) by January. I am cautiously optimistic about it,” Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Minister for Civil Aviation, said at the launch of the scheme.

Under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme , two weeks after the initial scrutiny, the Government will invite counter proposals from various operators keen to operate on RCS routes and announce the winner within 14 days.

The scheme, which provides Viability Gap Funding for operators who cap fares on these flights at rs2,500, allows only one operator to fly on a RCS route for three years. “The idea of the scheme is to get those who wear Hawai chappals on to hawai jahaj (aeroplane),” said Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

However, the industry’s response to the proposals was tepid. While Ashwani Lohani, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, said his airline will “definitely” participate, Phee Teik, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara Airlines, said the airline will be able to make a comment on whether the policy was good or bad only after going through it.

“The scheme is a step in the right direction to promote the movement of people within the country,” he said. Vistara is the brand name of the joint venture domestic airlines between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.