The Raipur-Jagdalpur regional flight service would remain suspended between July 9 to 21 due to change in landing gear of the aircraft, a State government spokesperson informed here on Friday.

He informed that the flight services will remain suspended during the period as no alternate aircraft is available.

Interestingly, on June 15 this year, the Jagdalpur-Vizag scheduled flight was cancelled just the day after the inauguration of air services by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 13.

It was the first official flight scheduled for Vizag which was cancelled on the first day of scheduled departure.

Sources had informed that due to non ‘Naval Clearance’ from Vizag Airport Authority, Air Odisha which started the domestic services in the state was denied landing at the Vizag Airport.

Notably, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has awarded 10 routes in Chhattisgarh from various airports under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), officials informed.

Nine routes will be operated by Air Odisha and one by IndiGo Airlines.

The routes to be operated by Air Odisha are--Ambikapur-Bilaspur, Bilaspur-Ambikapur, Jagdalpur-Raipur, Jagdalpur-Vishakhapatnam, Raigarh-Raipur, Raipur-Jagdalpur, Raipur-Jharsuguda,, Raipur-Raigarh and Raipur-Utkela.

The IndiGo Airlines will operate on Raipur-Allahabad route, they informed.

Notably, Chhattisgarh has signed MoU with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for promoting Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) in the State, officials informed.

The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier released the draft Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for stakeholder consultation, with the twin objectives of promoting balanced regional growth and making flying affordable for masses.

The RCS is the key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy which was released by the Ministry on June 15, 2016. The scheme, which would be in operation for a period of 10 years, envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air strips and airports.

This would be achieved through a financial stimulus in the form of Central and State government concessions, as well as Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports, so that the passenger fares are kept affordable.