Tariff regulator AERA has ordered all major airport operators, including those run under the defence ministry, to exempt flights operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) from landing and parking charges. <br/><br/>Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) said in its latest order said that the airfares for all passenger seats operated on flights under the regional connectivity scheme, will also not be subjected to any levy or charge imposed by the airport operators. <br/><br/>Under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN, kickstarted last week, fares have been capped at Rs 2,500 for one-hour flights. The scheme also provides for various benefits including no airport charges and three-year exclusivity on the routes. <br/><br/>After the first round of bidding for the RCS routes, five airlines including Air India's regional arm Alliance Air, Deccan Aviation, SpiceJet and Air Odisha have been awarded 128 routes connecting over 30 unserved airports. <br/><br/>The order further said the operators of major airports whether run by AAI, state governments, private entities or the Ministry of Defence shall "not levy landing and parking charges or any other charge subsuming a charge for such aspects in future.