**Executive Summary**
This document is the official response to Unstarred Question No. 2041 raised in Lok Sabha regarding the lack of direct flight service to Silchar from New Delhi, the possibility of introducing such service, and conducting a feasibility study under the UDAN scheme. The response clarifies that airlines have not proposed direct flights and that the Silchar-Delhi route does not qualify for bidding under the UDAN scheme. The response was to be answered on the 11th of December 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Direct Flight Service between Delhi and Silchar:**
* No scheduled airlines have proposed to operate direct flights between Delhi and Silchar as per the ongoing Winter Schedule.
* The decision to commence or operate any flight between cities is a commercial decision of the airlines based on economic viability.
* Since the deregulation of Indian domestic aviation in March 1994, airlines are free to choose their markets and networks.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN):**
* The Silchar-Delhi route is not eligible for bidding under the UDAN scheme.
* Both Silchar and Delhi airports are classified as "served" airports.
* The UDAN scheme aims to enhance air connectivity to "unserved" and "underserved" airports.
**Impact Analysis**
**Airlines**
* **Impact**
* Airlines retain the autonomy to decide routes based on commercial viability and are not obligated to introduce a direct Silchar-Delhi flight.
* Airlines are unable to access government subsidies for the Silchar-Delhi route through the UDAN scheme.
* **Action Required**
* No specific action required; airlines continue to assess market demand and operational viability for the route.
**Passengers/Residents of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura**
* **Impact**
* Passengers will continue to experience inconvenience due to the lack of direct flight service to New Delhi, requiring travel via Kolkata or Guwahati.
* Expectations for a direct flight service under the UDAN scheme will remain unmet.
* **Action Required**
* No specific action required, but residents can continue to advocate for improved air connectivity through other channels.
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A scheme to enhance air connectivity to unserved and underserved airports.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for civil aviation in India.
Air Corporations Act: Act repealed in March 1994, which led to the deregulation of Indian domestic aviation.
Silchar: City for which a direct flight service is being discussed.
New Delhi: City to which a direct flight service from Silchar is being discussed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2041
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
DIRECT FLIGHT SERVICE FOR SILCHER
2041. SHRI PARIMAL SUKLABAIDYA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that Silchar is not having a direct flight service to New
Delhi resulting in inconvenience to passengers who are compelled to travel via Kolkata or
Guwahati and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to introduce a direct flight service between Silchar and
New Delhi in view of the longstanding demand of the people of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya
and Tripura who depend on Silchar Airport for connectivity;
(c) if so, the details thereof including the expected timeline, airline operators and frequency
of flights and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether the Government also proposes to conduct a feasibility study for initiating a
Silchar-New Delhi direct flight under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN or any other
mechanism and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c) : As per the ongoing Winter Schedule, no scheduled airlines have proposed to
operate direct flights between Delhi and Silchar. Commencement or operation of any flight
between cities in the country is purely a commercial decision of the airlines on the basis of
the economic/operational viability of the route and other associated factors.
Further, with the repeal of the Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic
aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to
select whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate.
;
(d) : As per the provisions of Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
(RCS-UDAN) , the Silchar-Delhi route is not eligible for bidding under the Scheme, as both
airports are classified as served airports and connectivity between two served airports does
not fall within the purview of the UDAN Scheme, which primarily aims to enhance air
connectivity to unserved and underserved airports.
******