This document summarizes key aspects of India's UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, a regional connectivity initiative, as of July 24, 2025.
**UDAN Operational Status and Impact:** Since the scheme's inception, 92 previously unserved or underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes, have been made operational. The Halwara Airport development in Ludhiana is currently underway by the State Government.
**Assessment of Air Connectivity:** The government has assessed air connectivity improvements in Tier 2 and 3 towns through two studies:
1. "The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN Progress and Prospects" by the Indian School of Business (ISB), conducted in 2021-22.
2. "Evaluation Study of Regional Connectivity Scheme" by DMEO NITI Aayog, conducted in 2023-24.
**Financial Sustainability:** Approximately 150 routes operationalized under the UDAN scheme have achieved financial self-sustainability.
**Support for Smaller Airlines:** Following the deregulation of the domestic aviation sector in March 1994, airlines are responsible for their financial and operational decisions. The government's role is to foster a conducive ecosystem through simplified regulations and enhanced ease of doing business.
**Green Airport Infrastructure:** The Ministry of Civil Aviation encourages all operational and upcoming airports to pursue carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions, including carbon emission mapping and adoption of green energy. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) considers capital expenditure on green energy and carbon neutrality when determining tariffs for major airports.
**Air Safety Protocols:** All DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) licensed airports are required to maintain prescribed standards for aircraft operations. The DGCA conducts annual surveillance and spot checks to monitor compliance.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik): A Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) by the Government of India to enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved airports.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation.
Halwara Airport, Ludhiana, Punjab: An airport in Ludhiana, Punjab, where development work is underway by the State Government.
NITI Aayog: The National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think tank of the Government of India.
Indian School of Business (ISB): A business school that conducted a study on the UDAN scheme.
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA): An authority that considers capital expenditure on green energy and carbon neutrality while determining tariffs for major airports.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory body for civil aviation in India, responsible for maintaining prescribed standards and fitness for use by aircraft operations at licensed airports.
Air Corporation Act: An act repealed in March 1994, leading to the deregulation of Indian domestic aviation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 798
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
OPERATIONAL AIRPORTS UNDER UDAN
798. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the current operational status of airports developed under the UDAN
scheme across the country, particularly Halwara Airport in Ludhiana;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of air connectivity
improvements in Tier-3 towns and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of routes under UDAN that have become financially self-
sustainable;
(d) the support being provided to smaller airlines facing financial stress;
(e) whether the Government proposes to incentivise green airport
infrastructure and electric ground vehicles and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether it is true that the implementation of air safety protocols has
improved at regional airports and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): Since the commencement of the Regional Connectivity Scheme -
Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), 92 unserved and underserved
airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes have been
operationalized across the country. The development work at Halwara
Airport is currently underway by the State Government.
The following studies have been conducted on the RCS-UDAN Scheme that
also cover air connectivity improvements in Tier-2 & 3 towns:
1. "The Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN Progress and Prospects" by the
Indian School of Business (ISB), (2021-22).
2. "Evaluation Study of Regional Connectivity Scheme" by DMEO NITI
Aayog (2023-24).
(c): Around 150 RCS routes operationalised under UDAN have become self-sustainable.
(d): With the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian
domestic aviation has been deregulated.
The financial and operational decisions, including resource mobilization, and
debt restructuring, are managed by the respective airline managements based
on commercial considerations. The Government creates a conducive
ecosystem for the sector to grow through simplified regulations and by
enhancing the ease of doing business.
(e):The Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised all operational and upcoming
airports to work towards Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero emissions,
including the carbon emission mapping and adoption of green energy.
Knowledge-sharing sessions have been conducted to standardize carbon
accounting and raise awareness on climate change mitigation.The Airports
Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) also considers capital expenditure
on green energy and carbon neutrality while determining tariffs for major
airports.
(f): All DGCA licensed airports have to maintain prescribed standards and
fitness for use by Aircraft operations during the whole period of currency of
the license. DGCA carries out Annual Surveillances, Spot checks etc. for
monitoring compliances.
*****