Patna: The Bihar government has set up a four-member committee to oversee the launch of direct international flights from Patna and Gaya airports, as part of a special incentive scheme approved by the state cabinet.
The flights are expected to connect the state with five destinations – Kathmandu, Sharjah, Bangkok, Colombo and Singapore – with operators eligible for a subsidy package ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per route.
The committee, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Cabinet, also includes the Finance Department’s Secretary (Expenditure), along with the Director and Administrative Officer of the Directorate of Aircraft Organisation. It has been tasked with drafting rules, implementing the scheme and determining the amount of financial support for each route.
Under the scheme, Indian carriers operating fixed-wing aircraft with a minimum of 150 seats will be eligible, subject to securing the necessary international clearances. The government will provide viability gap funding (VGF) for an initial period of six months, which may be extended for a further six months depending on the commercial performance of the routes.
According to the plan, subsidies of Rs 5 lakh will be offered for the Patna–Kathmandu route, while Rs 10 lakh will be allocated each for flights from Gaya to Sharjah, Bangkok, Colombo and Singapore.
