New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Monday that the government is planning to prolong the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) for an additional decade. To celebrate eight years of the scheme during an event in the national capital, the minister stated that UDAN has resulted in the establishment and expansion of regional airlines, creation of employment opportunities, and support for the tourism industry.
UDAN Scheme Achieves Milestone: 601 Routes and 157 Airports Operational, Set for Decade Extension
The regional air connectivity scheme has made 601 routes and 71 airports operational. UDAN focuses on improving regional air links and reducing the cost of air travel. This government scheme was launched on October 21, 2016 with a duration of 10 years. According to PTI, Rammohan Naidu announced that the program would be prolonged for an additional decade. The ministry is examining the financial sustainability and simplification of procedures under the scheme, according to Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam.
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On Sunday, the ministry reported that 86 aerodromes are now operational, including 71 airports, 13 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes, serving over 1.44 crore passengers on more than 2.8 lakh flights. In the meantime, the country has seen a two-fold increase in the number of functioning airports, rising from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024 with plans to reach 350-400 by 2047.
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