In response to Unstarred Question No. 895, posed by Shri Adhikari Soumendu and to be answered on December 4, 2025, regarding the discontinuation of affordable regional air services, the Minister of Civil Aviation addresses the following:
(a) Some UDAN routes were discontinued before completing their 3-year tenure due to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, aircraft shortages, supply chain issues, aircraft and airport/runway maintenance, and low passenger demand.
(b) & (c) The State Government of West Bengal has not indicated the existence of any airstrip in Haldia for inclusion under the UDAN scheme. Further, no proposal has been received from the State Government for the development of a greenfield airport at Haldia under the Greenfield Airports Policy 2008.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation is Shri Murlidhar Mohol.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN: A regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector in India.
Haldia: Location of a proposed airport or airfield services.
Greenfield Airports Policy 2008: A policy document concerning the development of greenfield airports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 895
th
(To be answered on the 4 December 2025)
DISCONTINUATION OF AFFORDABLE REGIONAL AIR SERVICES
895. SHRI ADHIKARI SOUMENDU
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that various private airline shave
withdrawn their affordable regional air services under UDAN schemes in the
country causing inconvenience to the people in getting different services
including for emergency medical and pilgrimage requirements and if so, the
reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government proposes to set up an airport or starting of airfield
services at Haldia; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): Some UDAN routes were discontinued by airlines before completing 3 years
tenure due to a variety of factors such as COVID 19 pandemic, aircraft shortage,
supply chain issues, aircraft maintenance, airport/runway maintenance, low
passenger demand on some routes, etc.
(b) & (c): The State Government of West Bengal has not indicated the existence of
any airstrip in Haldia for inclusion under the UDAN scheme, nor has any proposal
been received from the State Government for development of a greenfield airport at
Haldia under the Greenfield Airports Policy 2008.
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