**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding the performance of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. It provides updates on the integration of new airports, the number of operationalized routes, and the expansion of water aerodromes and heliports under the UDAN scheme. The answer was provided on December 11th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **UDAN Scheme Overview:**
* RCS-UDAN is a market-driven scheme where airlines bid to connect unserved/underserved airports.
* **Airport Integration:**
* Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International (Jewar) Airport are not proposed for inclusion in the RCS-UDAN scheme by their respective State Governments.
* **Operational Status:**
* As of November 30, 2025, 651 routes have been operationalized, connecting 93 unserved/underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.
* Over 1.57 crore domestic passengers have travelled on more than 3.27 lakh RCS flights.
* **Scheme Monitoring and Enforcement:**
* The scheme is monitored regularly to review progress and make course corrections.
* Airline operators failing to commence operations are issued show-cause notices, and routes may be cancelled with forfeiture of security in cases of wilful default.
* **Expansion of Water Aerodromes and Heliports:**
* India's geography provides potential for seaplane connectivity.
* The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has brought helicopter and seaplane services under the UDAN scheme.
* **New Airport in Palghar District:**
* The Government of India has a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, for developing new Greenfield airports.
* No proposal for 'Site Clearance' for a Greenfield Airport in Palghar district of Maharashtra is currently under consideration.
**Impact Analysis**
**Airline Operators**
* **Impact:** Airlines are affected by the need to bid for routes and comply with performance guarantees. Failure to commence operations can lead to penalties.
* **Action Required:** Airlines must bid for routes, commence operations within stipulated timelines, and adhere to performance guarantees.
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** State governments have the responsibility to propose airports for inclusion in the UDAN scheme and can influence the development of new airports.
* **Action Required:** State Governments must propose airports for the UDAN scheme and identify suitable sites for new airports while conducting Prefeasibility Studies.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers benefit from increased connectivity to unserved and underserved regions.
* **Action Required:** None mentioned.
**Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)**
* **Impact:** MoCA is responsible for scheme monitoring, enforcement, and expansion of UDAN.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the scheme, enforce performance guarantees, and continue to expand the scope of UDAN to include water aerodromes and heliports.
Key Entities Referenced
Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN): A regional connectivity scheme aimed at enhancing air travel to underserved and unserved airports, also known as RCS-UDAN.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA): The government ministry responsible for civil aviation policies and programs, including the UDAN scheme.
Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008: A policy that outlines the process for the development of new Greenfield airports in India.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically regarding a proposal to establish a new airport in the Palghar district.
Navi Mumbai International Airport: A newly licensed airport considered for integration into the UDAN network.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1893
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
PERFORMANCE UNDER UDAN
1893. SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI
SHRI ALOK SHARMA
DR. HEMANG JOSHI
DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA
DR. BHOLA SINGH
SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL
SMT KRITI DEVI DEBBARMAN
SHRI MANOJ TIWARI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has ensured that the newly licensed airports like Navi Mumbai
International Airport and Jewar Airport are integrated into the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik
(UDAN) network to boost Tier-2 connectivity without overloading metro hubs;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the assessment of operational success rates under the
latest UDAN phases;
(c) the new measures, if any, implemented/being implemented to enforce performance
guarantees for the operators who delay operations;
(d) the factors driving the ambition to increase the number of water aerodromes and heliports
covered by UDAN in the country; and
(e) whether there has been any progress on the proposal to establish a new airport in Palghar
district of Maharashtra in view of recent developments such as the Wadhavan Port project
and requests received from the State Government and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (d): The Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) is a
market driven scheme in which the unserved and underserved airstrips/airports are listed for
bidding by airlines to provide connectivity. Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida
International (Jewar) Airport are Greenfield airports, which have not been proposed for
inclusion in the list of unserved/underserved airports under the RCS-UDAN Scheme by the
respective State Governments.
As on 30/11/2025, 651 routes have been operationalised, connecting 93 unserved and
underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes across the nation. So far,over 1.57 crore domestic passengers have travelled on more than 3.27 lakh RCS flights. The
scheme is monitored on a regular basis to review the progress and to make the course
corrections. Selected Airline Operators failing to commence operations within the stipulated
timeline are issued show-cause notices, and in cases of wilful default, routes are cancelled
with forfeiture of the Performance Guarantee/Proposal Security.
India's extensive coastline, rivers, and inland water bodies provide significant potential for
developing seaplane connectivity, while the remote and challenging terrain of the Himalayan
and North-eastern States amplifies the need for helicopter connectivity. Recognising this
potential, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has brought the helicopter and seaplane
services under the UDAN scheme.
(e): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 for
development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As per the policy, 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.
No proposal either from the State Government concerned or any Airport Developer seeking
'Site Clearance' is under consideration for development of a Greenfield Airport in Palghar
district of Maharashtra.
******