India to revive three passenger plane projects, looks to tap feeder routes

To meet demand, govt says it needs locally built aircraft so that Indian entrepreneurs reap benefits

India plans to revive its three-passenger plane programmes, the 14-seater Saras, the five-seater NM-5 being developed with Mahindra Aerospace and a 70-seater regional transport aircraft (RTA-70) as it looks to meet the growing demand for planes to connect small airports in the country.

The country expects to connect small towns with main metros through its regional connectivity scheme (RCS) by offering incentives to airlines to fly small planes. The government is looking to offer incentives, including relief in aviation turbine fuel, reduced landing and parking charges and set up a regional connectivity fund to subsidise air travel to the hinterland.