Do you know about the UDAN scheme?

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 The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme is a regional connectivity initiative launched by the Government of India in 2016 under its National Civil Aviation Policy. It aims to make air travel affordable and widespread, especially for the common citizen, while also promoting balanced regional development and improving the overall air transport infrastructure in underserved and unserved regions.



Key Objectives of the UDAN Scheme:

  1. Enhancing Connectivity: It connects remote and smaller towns/cities to major hubs and cities across India.
  2. Affordability: The scheme caps airfares on selected routes to make flying affordable. For instance, a 1-hour flight on a fixed-wing aircraft is capped at ₹2,500.
  3. Boosting Infrastructure: The scheme encourages the development of infrastructure in smaller airports, which were previously unserved or underserved.
  4. Regional Development: By providing connectivity to rural and semi-urban areas, the scheme fosters economic growth in these regions through improved accessibility.

Key Features:

  • Viability Gap Funding (VGF): The government provides financial support to airlines to ensure the sustainability of operations on unviable routes, making air travel affordable.
  • Subsidized Airfares: Under the scheme, fares for half the seats in flights operating on UDAN routes are subsidized, ensuring affordability for passengers.
  • Incentives for Airlines: Airlines are incentivized to participate in the scheme by offering concessions in airport fees, reduced service charges, and fuel cost reductions.
  • Tier-2 and Tier-3 Focus: The focus is on connecting smaller airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to larger metro cities, thereby expanding the reach of air transport.

Phases of UDAN:

  • UDAN 1.0 (2017): Launched with 128 routes, connecting over 30 unserved airports.
  • UDAN 2.0 (2018): Added new routes, including priority for underserved routes, seaplane operations, and helicopters.
  • UDAN 3.0 (2019): Focused on international routes and enhanced helicopter connectivity.
  • UDAN 4.0 (2020): Introduced special routes to hill states, the North-East, and island regions like Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The UDAN scheme has played a significant role in improving regional air connectivity in India and contributing to the growth of civil aviation.

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