Chhattisgarh govt clears intra-state air taxi service

"The state government has given permission to Chhattisgarh Aviation Academy to start air taxi services in a joint venture with SKB Infracons Pvt Ltd", a government official said today.

An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.

According to the official, Raipur, Bilaspur, Korba, Raigarh, Ambikapur, Jashpur and Jagdalpur will be connected through air routes in the first phases of the scheme.

In a directive dated December 5, the government had issued terms and conditions in this regard, he said.

As per the directives, the air taxi operator should acquire a Non Schedule Operating Permit for operating air services and strictly follow the guidelines laid down by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

The air taxi facility can only be started in a district headquarter after achieving permission from district collectors, besides the operator has to establish aircraft base in Chhattisgarh, the official said.

The concerned district administration will provide general security and other services, including medical and fire safety, at the runways for which operator has to a pay certain amount to them.

"Operator has to report to Regional Director, Civil Aviation, Bhopal and Airport Department on monthly basis. The order in this regard will be effective till June 31, 2013", the official added.