India's regional connectivity by airways scheme, UDAN, to initiate more enhanced regional connectivity by connecting 120 new destinations.

UDAN, or "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik", is a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) which was launched 8 years ago in October 21, 2016, which is led by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), and it aims to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports across India, making air travel affordable for the masses.
As per the recent report by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Govt. of India, on 01 February 2025, UDAN scheme has so far operationalised 619 airway routes and connected 88 airports across the country.
In this report, it was announced that a revamped UDAN initiative will be launched for a more enhanced regional connectivity by airways, which will add 120 new destinations through this scheme, based on the Union Budget 2025-26 presented on 01 February 2025.
Additionally, the scheme will focus on supporting helipads and smaller airports in remote, hilly, and aspirational districts, including the North Eastern region of India.
As per the report, the number of air passengers has surpassed 350 million annually, making India the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. Over the past ten years, domestic air passenger traffic in India has grown at an annual rate of 10-12%, and the number of airports has more than doubled to 159.
The Union Minister for Civil Aviation Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu, added that they're committed to develop 50 more airports in the next 5 years. He said that 1.5 crore passengers had already experienced affordable air travel, and the target is to enable 4 crore more people to benefit from this in the next decade. It was further informed that Greenfield airports will be facilitated in Bihar, which will be in addition to the expansion of Patna airport's capacity and a brownfield airport at Bihta.
Spicejet airlines posted on X that a new era of air travel begins, with the Union Budget 2025-26 expanding the UDAN scheme and bringing 120 new destinations and 4 crore more passengers into the skies over the next decade. The airlines further added that it is thrilled to connect more people, more places, and more possibilities, due to this.
As per an earlier report by MoCA on UDAN, this regional connectivity via airways has helped in fuelling the growth of aviation industry, in promoting tourism, and in boosting air connectivity in India.
For example, in addition to offering last-mile connectivity to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, UDAN has introduced tourism routes connecting several destinations in the Northeast region (such as, Pasighat, Ziro, Hollongi, and Tezu) and also to destinations in other regions across India (such as, Khajuraho, Deoghar, Amritsar, and Kishangarh near Ajmer; and Agatti Island of Lakshadweep), and is also focused on expanding helicopter services in hilly areas to stimulate tourism, hospitality, and local economic growth.
Recently, in 27 December 2024, the first UDAN Yatri Cafe was launched at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, to provide affordable and quality food at airports in India. It offers tea at ₹10 and single samosas at ₹20, water bottle at ₹10, coffee at ₹20, and a sweet of the day at ₹20. Based on its success, more such UDAN Yatri Cafe are planned to be opened at other airports across India.
- UNION BUDGET 2025-26 PROPELS AVIATION TO NEW HEIGHTS - Ministry of Civil Aviation on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Posted On: 01 FEB 2025 8:26PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 03 February 2025.
- The Journey of UDAN: Soaring Towards Inclusivity in Indian Aviation - Ministry of Civil Aviation on PIB - Press Information Bureau. Retrieved on 03 February 2025.