Executive Summary:
This document is a response to a question in Lok Sabha regarding airports under the RCS-UDAN scheme in Maharashtra, as of July 24, 2025. It provides details on the scheme's progress, including the number of operationalized routes and airports, and addresses the status of airport development and potential future inclusion of Maharashtra under the scheme. The government aims to increase regional connectivity and cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.
Key Points / Main Content:
RCS-UDAN Scheme Overview:
Launched on 21.10.2016 to make air travel affordable and sustainable.
Aims to establish an integrated ecosystem promoting tourism, employment, and regional growth.
637 RCS routes have been operationalized, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports (including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes).
153.59 lakh domestic passengers have travelled in over 3.14 lakh RCS flights as of July 15, 2025.
Development and operationalisation of airports/heliports/water aerodromes is a continuous process.
Maharashtra Airport Status:
Seven airports operationalized under RCS-UDAN: Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Gondia, Nasik, Sindhudurg, and Amravati.
Sholapur airport developed under the scheme, with commercial flight operations commenced.
Ratnagiri airport identified and under development by the State Government for RCS flights.
Future Plans:
Modified UDAN Scheme launched to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations.
Aims to cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.
Future valid bids for RCS flights connecting airports in Maharashtra will be considered.
Aerodromes Likely to be Operationalised During 2025-26:
A list of 10 aerodromes likely to be operationalised during 2025-26 is provided.
Locations include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
Impact: Responsible for the continued implementation and oversight of the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Action Required: Continue to evaluate and approve valid bids for RCS flights, and monitor the development and operationalisation of aerodromes.
State Governments (Especially Maharashtra):
Impact: Involved in the development of airports and facilitating the operation of RCS flights.
Action Required: Continue development of Ratnagiri airport, and support airlines in submitting valid bids for RCS flights.
Airport Operators (AAI, IAF, INS, SAIL, ICG, NLC, MADC, SG):
Impact: Responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of airports and aerodromes under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Action Required: Focus on operationalising the listed airports during 2025-26, and ensure compliance with scheme requirements.
Airlines:
Impact: Can benefit from the scheme by operating RCS flights and expanding their network.
Action Required: Consider submitting valid bids for operating RCS flights connecting airports in Maharashtra to avail benefits under the scheme.
Passengers:
Impact: Will benefit from increased connectivity, affordable air travel, and access to more destinations.
Action Required: Utilize the RCS flights to travel to unserved and underserved regions, and provide feedback to improve the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS UDAN: A Government of India scheme aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable.
Maharashtra: A state in India where the RCS-UDAN scheme is being implemented, with several airports already operational.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of policies, plans and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector in the country.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question related to airports under RCS-UDAN scheme was addressed.
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: The Minister of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Kolhapur, Maharashtra: An airport in Maharashtra that has been operationalized under the RCS-UDAN Scheme.
Ratnagiri, Maharashtra: An airport in Maharashtra identified and under development by State Government for operation of RCS flights under the UDAN scheme.
Neyveli, Tamil Nadu: An aerodrome likely to be operationalised during 2025-26
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
Lok Sabha
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 76
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 24th July 2025 )
AIRPORTS UNDER RCS-UDAN SCHEME IN MAHARASHTRA
76. DR. KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the number and details of new airports proposed to be
constructed across the country under the Regional Connectivity
Scheme (RCS) - UDAN during the year 2025-26, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to construct airports in
Maharashtra under RCS-UDAN;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to include Maharashtra under
the next phase of the scheme and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan
Naidu)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
******
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D)
IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 76
FOR REPLY ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING AIRPORTS UNDER
RCS-UDAN SCHEME IN MAHARASHTRA ASKED BY DR.
KALYAN VAIJINATHRAO KALE. (a): The Government
launched the RCS-UDAN Scheme on 21.10.2016 with an
aim to take flying to the masses by making it affordable,
convenient and sustainable air travel for passengers with
access to various parts of India. The scheme is working asa catalyst in establishing an integrated eco-system which
is leading to significant growth of the civil aviation sector,
which in turn is also promoting tourism, increasing
employment and leading to balanced regional growth
across the country. Since the commencement of the RCS-
UDAN scheme, 637 RCS routes have been operationalized,
connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports,
including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes across the
country. Under the UDAN Scheme, 153.59 lakh domestic
passengers have travelled in more than 3.14 lakh RCS
flights as of July 15, 2025. Development and
operationalisation of identified airports/heliports/water
aerodromes is a continuous process under the RCS-UDAN
Scheme. A list of 10 aerodromes likely to be
operationalised across the country, during the year 2025-
26. The state-wise details of airports are as at Annexure.
(b) & (c): In the state of Maharashtra, seven airports
namely Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Gondia, Nasik,
Sindhudurg and Amravati have been operationalised so far
under the RCS-UDAN Scheme. Sholapur airport has been
developed under the Scheme and commercial flight
operations have commenced. Ratnagiri airport has been
identified and is under development by State Government
for operation of RCS flights under the UDAN scheme. (d):
The Government has recently announced the launch of the
modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity
to 120 new destinations across the country and cater to 4
crore passengers in the next 10 years. In future, if any
airline submits a valid bid for the operation of RCS flights
connecting airports in Maharashtra, the same will be
considered as per the provisions of the Scheme.Annexure
List of Aerodromes likely to be operationalised during 2025-26
Implementing
Sl.N. State Airport Owner
Agency
Andaman &
Car Nicobar IAF AAI
1.
Nicobar Island
Andaman &
Shibpur INS AAI
2.
Nicobar Island
Andaman &
Campbell Bay INS AAI
3.
Nicobar Island
Bihar Purnea SG AAI
4.
Jharkhand Bokaro SAIL AAI
5.
Maharashtra Ratnagiri ICG MADC
6.
Odisha Rangeilunda (Berhampur) SG SG
7.
Tamil Nadu Neyveli NLC AAI
8.
Tamil Nadu Vellore AAI AAI
9.
Saharanpur
Uttar Pradesh IAF AAI
10.
(Sarsawa)