**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Starred Question No. 266 in the Lok Sabha, concerning the expansion of air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. It details the progress of the scheme, including the number of routes operationalized and the status of new airport development proposals, as of December 18, 2025. The statement also outlines the plan to enhance passenger amenities and safety standards at existing airports.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **UDAN Scheme Expansion:**
* 651 RCS routes operationalized, connecting 93 unserved/underserved airports, 15 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes as of November 30, 2025.
* 87 routes connecting 12 airports operationalized in Uttar Pradesh.
* The Government has announced a modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations, including Uttar Pradesh, to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
* The modified UDAN scheme is currently at the approval stage.
* **New Airport Development:**
* According to the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, airport developers (including State Governments) must identify a site, conduct a prefeasibility study, and submit a proposal for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'In-Principle' approval to the Central Government.
* 'In-Principle' approval has been granted for 24 greenfield airports across the country, of which 13 are operationalised.
* **Airport Infrastructure and Safety:**
* The upgradation of infrastructure and passenger amenities at airports is a continuous process.
* Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the Airport Operators, in coordination with State Governments, undertake this process, based on operational requirements, traffic, demand, and commercial feasibility.
* DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) ensures aviation safety through regular surveillance, spot checks, and audits, following an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP).
* Audit findings are addressed with verified corrective actions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments**
* **Impact:** State governments are involved in airport development and coordination for infrastructure upgrades.
* **Action Required:** State governments must identify suitable sites for new airports, conduct prefeasibility studies, and submit proposals for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval. Coordinate with AAI and Airport Operators for airport infrastructure and passenger amenities upgrades.
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Airport Operators**
* **Impact:** AAI and Airport Operators are responsible for upgrading airport infrastructure and passenger amenities.
* **Action Required:** AAI and Airport Operators should upgrade infrastructure based on operational needs, traffic, demand, and commercial feasibility, in coordination with State Governments.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact:** DGCA is responsible for aviation safety and oversight.
* **Action Required:** DGCA must continue to ensure aviation safety through regular surveillance, spot checks, and audits, and ensure audit findings are addressed with verified corrective actions.
**Stakeholder: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers will benefit from increased regional connectivity, enhanced passenger amenities, and improved safety standards.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required from passengers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme: A regional connectivity scheme to enhance air connectivity to underserved regions.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Ensures aviation safety through oversight system, including surveillance and audits.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): Undertakes upgradation of airport infrastructure facilities/passenger amenities at airports.
Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008: Governs the development of new airports by airport developers or State Governments.
Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION: Primary governmental body responsible for civil aviation matters.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 266
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
EXPANSION OF AIR CONNECTIVITY UNDER UDAN SCHEME
266. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to expand regional air connectivity under Ude Desh ka
Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme in underserved districts of the country including the districts
of Western Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the current status of new airport or airstrip development proposals submitted by various
States; and
(c) whether the Government plans to enhance passenger amenities and improve safety
standards at existing tier-2 and tier-3 airports and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on Table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) IN
RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 266 FOR REPLY
ON 18.12.2025 REGARDING EXPANSION OF AIR CONNECTIVITY
UNDER UDAN SCHEME ASKED BY SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN.; (a) & (b):
Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-
UDAN), 651 RCS routes have been operationalised, connecting 93 unserved
and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes as on
30.11.2025, across the country. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, a total of 87 routes
connecting 12 airports have been operationalised. Further, the Government has
announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional
connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country including Uttar Pradesh,
to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The scheme is currently at
the approval stage. As per the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, if any
Airport developer including the State Government desires to develop an airport,
they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Prefeasibility Study
conducted and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site Clearance'
followed by 'In-Principle' approval. Under this policy, Government of India has
granted 'In-Principle' approval for 24 greenfield airports across the country, of
which 13 airports have been operationalised. (c) The upgradation of
infrastructure facilities/passenger amenities at airports is a continuous process,
which is undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or the Airport
Operators, in coordination with the State Governments, depending upon
operational requirements, traffic, demand, commercial feasibility etc. Further,
DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) ensures aviation safety through a
robust oversight system, including regular surveillance, spot checks, and audits.
It follows an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) for inspections and ensures that
audit findings are addressed with verified corrective actions.
*****