India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme has revolutionized regional air connectivity, operationalizing 649 routes and linking 93 aerodromes, including North-East airports, heliports, and island regions. Since inception, 1.56+ crore passengers have flown on 3.23 lakh RCS–UDAN flights, supported by ₹4,300 crore in viability gap funding to ensure commercial sustainability.
The initiative is expanding to 120 new destinations, targeting 4 crore passengers over the next decade. Complementary programs include:
- Krishi UDAN for fast transport of
agricultural produce.
- Lifeline UDAN ensuring medical and essential cargo deliveries, especially during emergencies.
- UDAN Yatri Café, providing affordable meals at airports like Kolkata and Chennai.
Supporting India’s 2047 vision, the government plans to grow airports from 163 to 350, and passenger traffic to over 1 billion, with 25 million jobs projected in aviation, MRO, pilot training, and drone manufacturing.
Other modernization efforts include: Digi Yatra for paperless travel, expanded flight training and pilot development (targeting 25% women pilots by 2025), liberalized Drone Rules 2021, PLI incentives, and the new Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 to align
regulations with global standards and promote indigenous manufacturing.
UDAN and related initiatives have made air travel inclusive, accessible, and future-ready, strengthening regional economies, national integration, and India’s rise as a global aviation leader.
