**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives to enhance regional air connectivity and affordability, with a focus on West Bengal, under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN). Launched on October 21, 2016, the RCS-UDAN scheme aims to stimulate regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and underserved airports in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. As of July 15, 2025, 637 RCS routes have been operationalized, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports across the country. In West Bengal, Durgapur and Cooch Behar airports have been developed and operationalized under the scheme. Across the country, including West Bengal, 15.359 million domestic passengers have traveled on over 314,000 RCS flights. The RCS-UDAN scheme is market-driven, with bidding rounds conducted periodically to expand the network. In West Bengal, Durgapur, Cooch Behar, Burnpur, Malda, Kalaikunda, and Hashimara have been identified for development and operation of RCS flights. To ensure long-term sustainability, the government provides Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines, supports the upgrading of regional airports, and encourages operational flexibility. Routes discontinued due to airline failure or other reasons are rebid and operationalized in subsequent rounds. The information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 708 on July 24, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
SHRI RAJU BISTA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about enhancement of regional air connectivity.
Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Regional Connectivity Scheme Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik RCS-UDAN: A Government of India scheme to enhance regional air connectivity and affordability by reviving unserved and underserved airports.
West Bengal: A state in eastern India, specifically mentioned in the context of enhancing regional air connectivity.
Durgapur Airport: An airport in West Bengal that has been developed and operationalized under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Cooch Behar Airport: An airport in West Bengal that has been developed and operationalized under the RCS-UDAN scheme.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial support provided by the government to airlines to improve the long-term sustainability of RCS routes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 708
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
ENHANCEMENT OF REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY
708. SHRI RAJU BISTA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of initiatives taken by the Government to enhance regional air
connectivity and affordability in West Bengal;
(b) the number of passengers travelled and flights operated under the
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) since its inception, particularly in West
Bengal;
(c) the specific regions or airports identified for development on priority
under the said scheme, particularly in West Bengal; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure long-term
sustainability and inclusivity in regional air connectivity across the country?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) and (b): The Government launched Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude
Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) scheme on 21-10-2016 to
facilitate/stimulate regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and
underserved airports in Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities. 637 RCS routes have so far
been operationalized. The Scheme has connected 92 unserved and
underserved airports across the country.
In the state of West Bengal, Durgapur and Cooch Behar Airports have been
developed and operationalised under the Scheme.
A total of 153.59 lakh domestic passengers have travelled in more than 3.14
lakh RCS flights across the country including West Bengal as on July 15,
2025 under the Scheme.
(c): RCS-UDAN is a market driven Scheme where bidding rounds are
conducted from time to time to cover more destinations and routes. Revival /
up-gradation of unserved and underserved airstrips is undertaken upon itsidentification through a valid bid and award to the Selected Airline Operator
(SAO). Durgapur, Cooch Behar, Burnpur, Malda, Kalaikunda and
Hashimara have so far been identified for the development and operation of
RCS flights in West Bengal.
(d): In order to improve long-term sustainability of the routes and to address
these issues, the government provides viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines,
supports the upgrading of regional airports, and encourages operational
flexibility. Further, eligible routes that were discontinued in the past rounds
due to various reasons such as airline failure, are also re-bid, awarded and
operationalised in the subsequent rounds.
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