**Summary:**
As of August 21, 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reports that the Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN (RCS-UDAN) has operationalized 92 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, across India. Under the RCS-UDAN scheme, 637 routes have been operationalized. The government has launched a modified UDAN scheme aimed at increasing regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and serving 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years, with a focus on regions including Uttar Pradesh. The scheme has fostered socio-economic growth in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities by promoting tourism, trade, employment, and inclusive development. The UDAN scheme involves collaboration with State Governments, who provide support through free land, reduced VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), cost-sharing for infrastructure, and facilitation of land acquisition and airport expansion. To ensure the financial sustainability of UDAN routes, Selected Airline Operators receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF), three-year exclusivity on routes, and various concessions from Airport Operators and State Governments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
UDAN Scheme: A regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Government of India, with the goal of making air travel affordable and widespread, to boost inclusive national economic development, job growth and air transport infrastructure development of all regions and states of India.
Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre: A Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding the expansion of air connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
Shri Murlidhar Mohol: Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
RCS-UDAN: Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. A scheme to enhance air connectivity to Tier2 and Tier3 cities.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, included as a new destination under the modified UDAN Scheme.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Financial support provided to Selected Airline Operators (SAO) to ensure the financial sustainability of UDAN routes.
Airport Operators: Entities that manage and operate airports, providing concessions to airlines as part of the UDAN scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4671
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21st August 2025 )
EXPANSION OF AIR CONNECTIVITY UNDER UDAN SCHEME
4671. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the total number of airports, heliports and water aerodromes operationalised under the
UDAN scheme so far;
(b) whether new routes have been identified in underserved and unserved regions for the next
phase of the scheme and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the socio-economic impact observed as a result of improved air connectivity in Tier-2 and
Tier-3 cities;
(d) whether the Government proposes to collaborate with State Governments to improve
regional aviation infrastructure and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the incentives being provided to airlines for sustaining operations on low-profit regional
routes?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a): 92 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes,
have so far been operationalised across the country under the RCS-UDAN scheme. ;
;
(b) 637 Routes have been operationalised under the ongoing RCS-UDAN scheme.
The Government has recently announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to
increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, including Uttar
Pradesh and to cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years.
;
(c): RCS-UDAN has boosted regional economic growth by improving connectivity in Tier-2
and Tier-3 cities, fostering tourism, trade, employment, and inclusive development across
remote and underserved regions.
(d): The scheme involves active participation of State Governments, with airports identified
in consultation, and support extended through incentives such as free land, reduced VAT on
ATF, cost-sharing for infrastructure and services, and facilitation of land acquisition and
airport expansion.(e): To ensure financial sustainability of UDAN routes, Selected Airline Operators are
provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF), three-year exclusivity, and various concessions from
Airport Operators and State Governments as per scheme provisions.
******