- Launched in 2016 under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy.
- Aimed at making regional air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen, thus boosting regional connectivity.
Objectives:
- Enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved airports in India.
- Promote balanced regional growth and make air travel affordable for people in smaller towns and cities.
- Increase trade and tourism by providing better access to remote areas.
Key Features:
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial support provided to airlines to help offset losses on unviable routes, with costs shared by the Central and State governments.
- Affordable Fares: Capped airfares at ₹2,500 for a one-hour journey (approx. 500 km) to encourage affordable travel.
- Route Allocation: Allocation of routes to airlines through a transparent bidding process, focusing on areas with limited or no air connectivity.
- Financial and Operational Support: Airports receive support from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for infrastructure development, reduced taxes on aviation fuel, and exemption from landing charges.
- Airport Development: Revitalization of underserved or unserved airports in smaller towns.
Phases of UDAN Scheme:
- UDAN 1.0 (2017): Initial phase; routes and airports identified and awarded for connectivity to major cities.
- UDAN 2.0 (2018): Expansion to include priority areas like the North-East, hill states, and islands.
- UDAN 3.0 (2019): Further expanded to include tourist routes and seaplane operations.
- UDAN 4.0 (2020): Focused on enhancing routes to remote areas and smaller regions, including routes affected by COVID-19.
- UDAN 5.0 (2023): Emphasizes remote connectivity and introduces new routes to further increase access to underserved regions.
Achievements (as of recent data):
- Over 450 routes awarded, with more than 70 airports connected under the scheme.
- Increased air connectivity in regions like the North-East, Jammu & Kashmir, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Significant boost in domestic air traffic, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Successful launch of seaplane operations and flights to major tourist destinations.
Impact and Benefits:
- Economic Growth: Boosts regional economies by improving trade and tourism.
- Employment Opportunities: Increased job creation in the aviation and tourism sectors.
- Improved Accessibility: Better connectivity for residents of remote and rural areas.
- Social and Cultural Integration: Facilitates inter-regional connectivity and integration across India.
Challenges:
- Operational Viability: Limited profitability on some routes due to low passenger numbers.
- Infrastructure Constraints: Insufficient airport facilities and aviation infrastructure in remote areas.
- Weather and Geographic Limitations: Difficult terrain and climatic challenges affect operations in certain regions.
Way Forward:
- Encourage public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure development.
- Enhance marketing and awareness campaigns to boost passenger loads on UDAN routes.
- Implement technological solutions to improve safety and operational efficiency in remote regions.
The UDAN scheme is a significant policy initiative to democratize air travel, fostering regional development and connectivity. It plays a vital role in creating a more inclusive, interconnected India by bridging the regional connectivity gap.
