Parliament Question: Development of Aviation Sector under UDAN Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3004 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6th August 2026 ) DEVELOPMENT OF AVIATION SECTOR UNDER UDAN SCHEME 3004. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the details and the current status of implementation of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme including the number of routes operationalised, airports/heliports/water aerodromes made functional, State/UT-wise, particularly in Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu; (b) the total funds allocated, released and utilised under the said scheme since its inception till date, year-wise; (c) whether several regional routes have been discontinued or suspended due to low passenger traffic or financial viability issues and if so, the details thereof; (d) the steps taken to improve last-mile air connectivity in remote, hilly and coastal regions and to ensure long-term sustainability of subsidised routes; and (e) whether the Government proposes any modification or extension of the UDAN Scheme beyond its current phase and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e): Since inception of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, a total of 679 RCS routes connecting 95 unserved and underserved airports, including 17 heliports and 02 water aerodromes, have been operationalised across the country under the UDAN Scheme. No aerodromes located in the Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu have been identified for development under the UDAN Scheme. For revival and development of un-served and under-served airports/heliports/water aerodromes identified under Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), an amount of Rs. 4500 crore in the Phase I and an amount of Rs.1000 Crores in Phase II of the Scheme has beenallocated. Rs.4,839.48 crore has been incurred for revival/development of airports under RCS till date. Under the scheme, 156 routes discontinued services before completion of their 3- year VGF support tenure due to operational and airline related issues. The next phase of the UDAN Scheme was launched on 04.07.2026 to promote regional air connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and remote regions across the country, targeting 120 new destinations and 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The Scheme is being implemented from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36 with an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore, including Rs. 12,159 crore for Aerodrome development and Rs3,661 crore for development of 200 heliports in Hilly, North-Eastern and Aspirational (HINER) States/districts. ******