**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 406, regarding the reduction in flight frequency on the Nashik-Delhi route, the absence of evening flights on this route, and measures to improve air connectivity from Nashik, particularly in anticipation of the Kumbh Mela.
The Nashik-Delhi route, previously a daily Indigo service, has been reduced to thrice-weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) due to CAT III upgradation works at Delhi Airport.
The Ministry clarifies that airlines are responsible for determining routes and flight timings based on operational and commercial viability, as Indian domestic aviation has been deregulated since March 1994. Slot allocation at airports is managed by the Airport Operator based on airline requests.
The Nashik Airport, owned and operated by HAL, was selected for development under UDAN, with an investment of Rs. 11.19 Crore. The Ministry states that airport expansion and upgrades are ongoing processes, subject to land availability, commercial viability, socio-economic factors, traffic demand, and airline willingness to operate.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding reduction in flight frequency.
Nashik-Delhi route: A flight route between Nashik, Maharashtra and Delhi.
Delhi Airport: Refers to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi, India.
Nashik Airport: An airport located in Nashik, Maharashtra, owned and operated by HAL.
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: Minister of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the question.
UDAN: A regional airport development scheme of the Government of India
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 406
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY OF FLIGHT SERVICE
406. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the frequency of the daily flight service on the Nashik-Delhi route has been
reduced to thrice a week and if so, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government is aware that there is currently no evening flight from Delhi to
Nashik and vice versa and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken/being taken to expedite and coordinate inter-agency clearances involving
DIAL and ATC for the approval of night slots at IGI Airport for this route; and
(d) the details of the measures taken/proposed to be taken to increase infrastructure at Nashik
Airport and improve air connectivity from Nashik, particularly in view of the upcoming
Kumbh Mela?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFRRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT
OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 406 REGARDING
REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY OF FLIGHT SERVICE ASKED BY SHRI
RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE; (a) : The Nashik-Delhi route, which
was earlier being operated by Indigo as a daily service, has been reduced to
thrice weekly (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) due to the ongoing CAT III
upgradation works at Delhi Airport. (b) to (d): Slots at any airport are allocated
by the Airport Operator based on the requests received from the airlines.With
the repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, Indian domestic aviation
has been deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type
and free to select whatever markets and networks they wish to serve and
operate. Hence, it is up to the airline operators to consider the introduction or
expansion of air services to/from any airport in the country, depending upon
their operational and commercial viability. The Nashik Airport, owned and
operated by HAL, was identified for development and operationalisation during
the first round of bidding under UDAN. Accordingly, an amount of Rs. 11.19
Crore was incurred on development of the airport. Expansion and upgradation
of airports is a continuous process undertaken from time to time depending on
the availability of land, commercial viability, socio-economic considerations,
traffic demand / willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports.
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