UDAN Scheme Anniversary: Celebrated its 8th anniversary (April 27, 2025), highlighting its role in affordable air travel. Launched on October 21, 2016, with the first flight on April 27, 2017 (Shimla-Delhi).
Objective: Democratize aviation, enhance regional connectivity, and connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Aims to make air travel accessible to the common man.
Key Features: Viability Gap Funding (VGF), airfare caps, reduced taxes on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), and collaborative governance. ₹4,023.37 crore disbursed as VGF.
Implementation: Designed under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the nodal agency.
Significant Milestones: 625 routes operationalized, connecting 90 airports (including 2 water aerodromes, and 15 heliports). Airport network expanded from 74 (2014) to 159 (2024). More than 1.49 crore passengers benefited.
Key Innovations:
UDAN Yatri Cafes: Affordable food options at airports.
Seaplane Operations: Focus on connecting water bodies; UDAN Round 5.5 launched. Guidelines released in August 2024 focusing on safety and operational viability.
Krishi UDAN Scheme: Supports farmers with air logistics for agri-produce. Covers 58 airports.
Future Plans: Revamped UDAN aims to add 120 new destinations and enable affordable air travel for 4 crore more passengers over the next decade. Focus on remote, hilly, and aspirational districts. Plan to develop 50 new airports in the next 5 years.
Impact: Strengthened regional tourism, healthcare access, and trade. Catalyzing economic growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
