Gujarat has invested approximately Rs 184 crore from 2017 to November 2024 in the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, focusing on viability gap funding (VGF) and airport security services. The VGF initiative, aimed at encouraging airlines to operate on under-served routes, has supported five key routes, including Surat-Ahmedabad and Surat-Rajkot, benefiting over 1.06 lakh passengers.
Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat government has prioritized the UDAN scheme, improving regional air travel and boosting tourism and trade. The initiative has facilitated air travel for approximately 7.93 lakh passengers across the state’s regional airports.
Speaking on the implementation of the UDAN scheme, Dhaval Patel, Commissioner of Civil Aviation, Government of Gujarat, said, “The state government is continuously working to meet the growing demands of the aviation sector, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, as well as flight training, while providing various incentives for regional airports.”
Gujarat is also progressing with its ambitious water aerodrome projects at the Statue of Unity and Sabarmati Riverfront, alongside planning new VGF-supported routes to cities like Vadodara, Rajkot, Ambaji, and Palitana.
