India's cabinet has signed off on a Rs288 billion ($3.07 billion) extension to its regional connectivity scheme that will run to the 2035-36 fiscal year, which will fund some operations, plus airport upgrades and some helicopter and aircraft acquisitions. A statement from the Ministry of Civil Aviation shows that just over Rs100 billion is allocated for "viability gap funding" for operators on rewarded routes, which it says recognises " the need for longer market development". The largest allocation of Rs122 billion will fund capital expenditure to develop 100 airports "from existing unserved airstrips" over the next eight years, while a further Rs366 million will be allocated to developing 200 helipads over the same period. The Ministry adds that the scheme proposes to purchase two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier Do228s for Alliance Air, but did not disclose the funding amount. Both Pawan Hans and Alliance Air are state-owned operators. Since the launch of the regional connectivity scheme, also known locally as UDAN, in October 2016, the Ministry says that 663 routes have been operationalised across 95 airports, helipads and water aerodromes. UDAN has been viewed as a key enabler for the growth of independent regional carriers in India, such as Fly91, Star Air and startup floatplane operator SkyHop Aviation. Avani Singh, SkyHop's chief executive and founder, says that the viability gap funding "is a significant step that will help make regional and emerging segments like seaplane operations more sustainable over the long term. "It will give operators, investors and lessors the confidence to invest and build connectivity to areas that have so far remained out of reach."

Former Air India Express chief executive Aloke Singh has been appointed as chief strategy officer at IndiGo. The carrier says in a statement that Singh will lead its long-term strategic planning function, which includes enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. His LinkedIn profile shows that he recently finished his tenure as managing director and chief executive at Air India Express, having started in the role in November 2020. "Aloke brings an exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth. His comprehensive understanding of the aviation ecosystem will be invaluable as we build a more agile, resilient and future-ready organisation, and accelerate our next phase of growth," says IndiGo managing director Rahul Bhatia, to whom Singh will report until a new chief executive is appointed.

New Caledonian carrier Air Caledonie has stood down around half of its staff as it has cancelled all domestic flights due to protests that have made it impossible to operate flights to key airports around the French overseas territory. The carrier's commercial director Marion Gentelet tells Cirium that staffing levels are fluctuating daily, while it is still carrying on international flights and some other operations. "There is no specific period [for the stand down] and it will last as long as islands airports are closed," she adds. The airline has had limited operations since 2 March due to protests that have blockaded airports at the Isle of Pines and Loyalty Islands. Protestors have been opposing the carrier's move from Noumea-Magenta airport to the more distant La Tontouta airport, which had previously only handled international flights. Cirium schedules data shows that the airline had been scheduled to operate 74 domestic flights per week, plus twice-weekly services from La Tontouta to Port Villa in Vanuatu. The carrier owns and operates three ATR 72-600s, one of which is encumbered, Cirium fleets data shows.