In New Delhi on Oct. 21, the Ministry of Civil Aviation celebrated nine years of the UDAN regional‑connectivity scheme, which has flown more than 1.56 million passengers on 323,000 flights. The programme, launched on the same date in 2016, keeps affordable air services alive for everyday Indians by linking remote towns to the country’s biggest airports.
The scheme now operates 649 routes that serve 93 airports that previously had no or limited commercial service, plus 15 heliports and two water‑aerodrome bases. The government has poured over ₹4,300 crore in Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and invested another ₹4,638 crore to upgrade airport infrastructure under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
Civil‑Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha marked the ninth anniversary and highlighted UDAN’s role as a “transformational initiative” that made flying affordable and accessible for all. He noted that the first UDAN flight, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flew from Shimla to Delhi on April 27, 2017, marking a turning point for regional air travel.
Looking ahead, the ministry pledged to extend UDAN beyond April 2027. The new UDAN Framework will focus on hard‑to‑reach areas such as the hills, North‑East, and other aspirational regions, adding roughly 120 fresh destinations. A recent launch in August 2024 introduced comprehensive guidelines for seaplane operations, followed by UDAN 5.5—a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters. Through this round, letters of intent have already been issued for 150 routes that connect 30 water aerodromes across coastal and island areas.
According to the ministry, UDAN is not just a policy—it’s a catalyst for change, pushing India toward inclusive, sustainable air travel that fuels growth across the nation.
Source: ianslive
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