Reference:

• The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme completed 8 years on April 27, 2025.

Key Points:

• The scheme was launched on October 21, 2016, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the first flight operated on April 27, 2017, between Shimla and Delhi.
• Objective: The aim of the scheme is to connect smaller and remote cities across the country with affordable air travel, thereby boosting regional connectivity and providing the common citizen with the benefits of air travel.
• Over the past eight years, the UDAN scheme has played a crucial role in increasing the number of regional airports and strengthening air connectivity in the country.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Implementing Agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI)

Achievements:

• 625 flight routes have been launched, connecting 90 airports across India (including 2 water airports and 15 heliports).
• More than 1.49 crore passengers have benefited from affordable regional air travel under the scheme.
• India's airport network has increased from 74 airports in 2014 to 159 airports in 2024, more than double in a decade.
• ₹4,023.37 crore have been allocated under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to promote connectivity in underserved and remote areas.
• UDAN has boosted regional tourism, healthcare access, and business, promoting economic development in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Components of UDAN Scheme:

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial assistance provided to airlines to ensure affordable fares.
• Fare Limit: A cap has been set on airfares to ensure affordability.
• Collaborative Governance: Cooperation between the central government, state governments, AAI, and private airport operators.

Stakeholder Incentives:

• Airport Operators: Waiver of landing and parking fees.
• State Governments: Reduction of VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to 1% or less, provision of security services.
• Central Government: Facilitation in route development and tax exemptions.
• UDAN Scheme's Development: From Inception to Expansion:

UDAN 1.0 (2017):

• Launch: The first flight took off on April 27, 2017, from Shimla to Delhi.
• Coverage: 5 airline operators were allocated 128 routes covering 70 airports, including 36 new airports.

UDAN 2.0 (2018):

• Expanded to include 73 low-connected and previously unconnected airports.
• Helipads were also integrated into the UDAN network for the first time.

UDAN 3.0 (2019):

• Tourism routes were launched in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism.
• Seaplane operations were introduced to connect water airports.
• Several routes in the Northeast region were added to the scheme.

UDAN 4.0 (2020):

• Focused on hilly areas, northeastern states, and island regions.
• More emphasis was placed on helicopter and seaplane services.

UDAN 5.0 and 5.5 (2024-25):

• Bidding for seaplane services for over 50 water bodies.
• Expansion of services to helipads, smaller runways, and remote areas.

Future Milestones:

• By October 2025, UDAN will have entered its 9th year, marking significant achievements.

:Key Innovations in Regional Connectivity

UDAN Passenger Café:

• Affordable cafes were launched at Kolkata and Chennai airports, offering tea for ₹10 and samosas for ₹20.

Seaplane Service:

• Guidelines for operating seaplane services to connect regional and remote areas were issued on August 22, 2024.

Renewal of UDAN Scheme:

• Based on the success of the original plan, the goal is to add 120 new destinations and provide affordable air travel to 4 crore passengers, especially in remote areas.

Krishi Udaan Scheme:

• This scheme provides cost-effective air logistics for farmers, covering 58 airports, particularly in the northeastern and hilly regions.

Airport Infrastructure Development:

• In the next 5 years, 50 new airports will be developed, including new airports in Bihar and expansion of Patna Airport.