UDAN clocks 10 years, connects 1.49 crore passengers across India

The UDAN scheme has completed 10 years with over 1.49 crore passengers benefiting from affordable regional air travel. The government says 625 routes have been operationalised, connecting 90 airports, while a revamped version aims to add 120 new destinations.

New Delhi: As the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme completes 10 years since its launch on 21st October 2016, it has succeeded in its objective of making regional air travel affordable for the common man, with more than 1.49 crore passengers availing of the service, according to a factsheet issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday.

With as many as 625 UDAN routes being operationalised, connecting 90 airports (including 2 water aerodromes, and 15 heliports) across India, the scheme has not only brought remote regions onto the national aviation map but has also spurred local economies, boosted tourism, and generated employment across the country. UDAN strengthened regional tourism, healthcare access, and trade, catalyzing economic growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the factsheet states.

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Building on the success of the original scheme, a revamped version aims to add 120 new destinations and enable affordable air travel for 4 crore more passengers over the next decade.

The focus will be on expanding connectivity to remote, hilly, and aspirational districts, especially in the North Eastern region, with special support for helipads and smaller airports.

India’s airport network expanded from 74 airports in 2014 to 159 airports in 2024, more than doubling in a decade. The government has further committed to developing 50 new airports over the next 5 years.

This includes new greenfield airports in Bihar, expansion of Patna Airport, and development of a brownfield airport at Bihta, aiming to meet the future demand for air travel and regional growth.

The scheme has been driven by various incentives such as ₹4,023.37 crore disbursed as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to promote connectivity to underserved and remote regions.

Landing and parking charges for RCS flights were waived to promote these flights, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) does not levy Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on these flights. Moreover, a discounted Route Navigation and Facilitation Charge (RNFC) is applied.

For the first three years, excise duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) purchased at RCS airports is capped at 2 per cent. Airlines are also encouraged to enter code-sharing agreements to expand their reach.

States have also committed to reducing VAT on ATF to 1 per cent or less for ten years and providing essential services such as security, fire services, and utility services at reduced rates.

This collaborative framework has fostered an environment where airlines can thrive while serving regions that have long been overlooked, the factsheet observes.