UDAN scheme

Why is in news? 73 airports have been operationalized under UDAN scheme till January 2023

Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme - UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) on 21.10.2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses.

UDAN is a market driven scheme. Interested airlines based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN.

As on 31.01.2023, a total number of 73 unserved /underserved airports including 9 Heliports & 2 water aerodromes have been operationalised, since 2017, under the UDAN scheme.

UDAN is an ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time for covering more destinations/stations and routes under the scheme.

UDAN is a self-financing scheme. VGF amount of around Rs. 2355 crore has been released to Selected Airline Operators as on 31.01.2023 for the operation of UDAN flights.

The Government has approved the 'Revival of unserved and under-served airports' scheme for the revival and development of 100 unserved and under-served Airports, Helipad and Water Aerodromes by 2024.

Objectives:

To develop the regional aviation market

To provide affordable, economically viable and profitable air travel on regional routes to the common man even in small towns.

Features:

The scheme envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country through the revival of existing air-strips and airports. The scheme is operational for a period of 10 years.

Under-served airports are those which do not have more than one flight a day, while unserved airports are those where there are no operations.

Financial incentives from the Centre, state governments and airport operators are extended to selected airlines to encourage operations from unserved and under-served airports, and keep airfares affordable.