Since launch, UDAN has operationalised 649 routes, connecting 93 underserved airports—including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes—and flown over 15.6 million passengers across 323,000 flights.
India’s flagship Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik-Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN-RCS) has completed nine years, transforming air travel for millions and reshaping connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation kicked off the ninth anniversary celebrations of UDAN-RCS in New Delhi. The Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), AAI members, and senior officers from the ministry were in attendance.
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha highlighted that UDAN, launched on October 21, 2016, under the National Civil Aviation Policy, has been a transformational initiative aimed at making air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen.
The secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to continue the scheme beyond April 2027 through an expanded UDAN Framework. This would focus on connectivity with hilly, Northeastern, and aspirational regions, and the development of around 120 new destinations.
The first UDAN flight, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 27, 2017, between Shimla and Delhi, marked a new era in regional aviation connectivity.
“UDAN is not just a scheme; it is a catalyst for change and a testament to India’s commitment to making air travel inclusive, sustainable, and an integral part of our development journey,” a statement from the ministry said.
Since launch, 649 routes have been operationalised, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports—including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes—and facilitating over 15.6 million passengers through 323,000 UDAN flights.
To support airline operators and regional infrastructure, the central government has disbursed over ₹43 billion as viability gap funding (VGF) and invested ₹46.38 billion in airport development under RCS.
The scheme’s success is reflected in the AAI’s revenue performance, which rose from ₹62 billion in H1 FY2025 to ₹76.12 billion in H1 FY2026, a year-on-year growth of over 22 per cent, driven by sustained passenger traffic at regional airports.
A key recent initiative has been the introduction of Comprehensive Guidelines for Seaplane Operations in August 2024 and the launch of UDAN 5.5, a special bidding round for seaplanes and helicopters. Under this round, letters of intent have been issued for 150 routes connecting 30 water aerodromes across various coastal and island regions.