Surging Popularity: Lakhs of Domestic Passengers on UDAN Flights

Over 123 lakh domestic passengers have embarked on journeys through Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) flights since the scheme’s inception, as announced by Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Gen V K Singh (Retd), during a session in Rajya Sabha on Monday. This milestone comes as the UDAN scheme marks its fifth anniversary, having been initiated in October 2016 with the primary objective of enhancing aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities, catering to the aspirations of common citizens.

The UDAN scheme has been instrumental in bridging the gap between metropolitan cities and smaller towns by making air travel more accessible and affordable. It has played a significant role in boosting regional connectivity, thus contributing to the overall development of remote and underserved regions across the country.

As part of its commitment to expanding air connectivity, the government has given the green light to the ‘Revival of unserved and under-served airports’ scheme. This ambitious initiative aims to revive and develop 100 unserved and under-served airports, helipads, and water aerodromes by the year 2024.

The implementation of the UDAN scheme involves conducting periodic bidding rounds to identify and include more destinations and routes, thereby ensuring continuous growth and expansion. This ongoing process is a testament to the government’s dedication to enhancing air travel options for citizens across the nation.

Implementation of the UDAN Scheme

Since its inception, the UDAN scheme has made significant progress, with a total of 148 airports developed and operationalized to date. Among these, there are nine heliports and two water aerodromes, catering to the diverse needs of travelers and furthering regional connectivity.

Despite the scheme’s commendable progress, the Minister also highlighted some challenges that have led to delays in accomplishing the development and revival of airports, heliports, and water aerodromes under UDAN. These challenges include the inability of state governments to provide land on time, delays faced by new entrants in obtaining Schedule Commuter Operator permits due to compliance requirements, and difficulties in sourcing suitable aircraft. Additionally, leasing issues and long lead times for the delivery of small aircraft and the procurement of spares from abroad have also contributed to delays in the scheme’s execution.

Nevertheless, the government remains committed to addressing these challenges and overcoming any obstacles that may arise in the future. The successful implementation of the UDAN scheme has already brought about a transformative impact on regional air connectivity, making it an essential component of India’s civil aviation landscape.

As the scheme enters its sixth year, stakeholders and policymakers are hopeful that its continued expansion will lead to more robust aviation infrastructure, wider accessibility, and increased economic opportunities for millions of citizens in underserved regions.

The UDAN scheme stands as a shining example of the government’s proactive approach to enhancing air travel and fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizen. The scheme, with the continued support and cooperation of all stakeholders, poises to achieve even greater milestones in the years to come.

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