UDAN takes Indian aviation to new heights
India's aviation sector achieved a historic milestone as 5,05,412 domestic passengers flew in a single day on November 17, surpassing the 5-lakh daily passenger mark for the first time.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today told the house that Airports Authority of India(AAI), the Implementing Agency of UDAN (Ude Deshka Aam Nagrik), that 405 routes involving 65 airports including 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes have been operationalized under UDAN so far. It has awarded 948 routes, since the launch of UDAN scheme in 2016.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) or UDAN – in 2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable to the masses. UDAN is a market driven scheme. An airport which requires upgradation or development for commencement of RCS operations, is developed under “Revival of un-served and underserved airports” scheme.
Airports Authority of India(AAI), the Implementing Agency has identified 154 RCS airports including 14 water aerodromes and 36 helipads so far under UDAN for operation of RCS flights.
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Besides Viability Gap Funding (VGF), other concessions from Central, State Governments and airport operators are extended to Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) to encourage operations from unviable airports and to keep the air fare affordable.
While launching the UDAN Scheme in 2016, the Government had capped the Airfare at Rs. 2500 for a distance of 500 km to 600 km per seat under Regional Connectivity routes (equivalent to one-hour flight). The capping is subject to indexation as per the formula specified in the UDAN Scheme document.
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