Air connectivity plays an important role in regional development. It facilitates access to markets, supports tourism and expands economic opportunities. However, connecting remote and underserved areas remains important for ensuring wider access to air travel. Recognising this need, the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 prioritised affordable regional connectivity through financial support and infrastructure development.
In line with this objective, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), also known as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), was launched on October 21, 2016. The scheme anchors its ambition on a simple yet transformative premise: making affordable yet economically viable and profitable air travel on regional routes.
As UDAN completes ten years, it has expanded regional air connectivity and improved access to air travel for citizens by connecting unserved and underserved airports. A recap of the past decade reflects the rapid expansion of the country’s civil aviation footprint. India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with operational airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 166 till date. At the heart of this, transformation lies the UDAN scheme.
Building on this progress, the next phase of UDAN was launched on July 4, 2026. The scheme now places greater emphasis on Centre-state/UT partnerships. It will be complemented by a Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development dedicated to identifying airstrips and helipads. Together, these measures will further expand regional aviation infrastructure.
Operational milstones
UDAN entered its operational stage with the inauguration of the first RCS-UDAN flight from Shimla to Delhi in April 2017. Since then, the scheme has expanded regional air connectivity.
Routes operationalised: The scheme has operationalised 687 regional routes across India.
Aerodromes operationalised: A total of 95 aerodromes have been operationalised, including 17 heliports and 02 water aerodromes.
Flights operated: More than 3.68 lakh flights have been operated
Passengers carried: The scheme has facilitated air travel for 1.72 crore passengers.
The scheme uses market-based selection, airfare caps, concessions, and Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to encourage airline participation. As of October 15 this year, Rs 5091.23 crore has been disbursed under VGF. Alongside expansion of civil aviation, sectoral jobs have grown from around three million in 2014 to nearly 7.7 million in 2026.
Northeastern region: Under UDAN, across the northeastern States, 90 priority RCS routes have been operationalised. Fifty-two aerodromes, including heliports and water aerodromes, have also been identified in the region, of which 12 have been operationalised.
Next-phase transition
Since its inception, RCS-UDAN has released multiple versions of the scheme. Building on the achievements under it, the next phase of UDAN Scheme was formally launched on July 4, 2026. The scheme will be implemented in ten years, with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
The scheme emphasises affordable air travel, sustainable regional aviation operations, aerodrome development through a Challenge Mode framework, and indigenous aircraft manufacturing.
The Modified UDAN Scheme introduces targeted measures to support sustainable growth and long-term viability of regional aviation.
Development of aerodromes: One hundred airports will be developed from existing unserved airstrips, with an outlay of Rs 12,159 crore over eight years.
Operation and Maintenance: Three years of O&M support will be provided for approximately 441 aerodromes, with an estimated outlay of Rs 2,577 crore.
Modern helipads: Two hundred modern helipads will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore each.
Viability gap funding: An amount of Rs 10,043 crore will be allocated over ten years to support airlines operating regional routes.
Indigenous capacity: An allocation of Rs 400 crore is proposed for two HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft for Alliance Air.
Socio-economic change
The operationalisation of regional airports under UDAN has driven socio-economic transformation across regional hubs, boosting local trade, medical access, tourism, and employment.
Purnea Airport (Bihar): The operationalisation of Purnea Airport in 2025 transformed regional connectivity by providing air access to more than 10 districts of Bihar. Travel time to Kolkata has been reduced to nearly two hours and to Patna to about an hour, significantly improving accessibility for residents, businesses, and institutions.
Tezu Airport (Arunachal Pradesh): Operationalised in 2021, Tezu Airport now connects over two lakh people in this remote territory, and has reduced travel time to Guwahati to one hour.
Deoghar Airport (Jharkhand): The opening of Deoghar Airport cut travel time from Delhi to just two hours. Post-July 2022, over 10 lakh+ pilgrims fly directly to Deoghar annually. The airport provides direct access for 50+ lakh devotees visiting during the peak Kanwar Yatra month.
The scheme now places greater emphasis on Centre-state/UT partnerships. It will be complemented by a Challenge Mode Portal for Aerodrome Development dedicated to identifying airstrips and helipads
Kishangarh Airport (Rajasthan): Before direct air access in 2017, travellers in Kishangarh, Ajmer, and Pushkar travelled 100+ km to Jaipur for flights. Post-2017, direct air cargo connectivity has enabled marble exports to Italy, the UAE, and the USA. In 2022, the airport hosted Avyanna Aviation Academy, the region’s only Category ‘A’ Flying Training Organisation (FTO). The airport generated 200+ direct jobs. It also spurred a 40-50 per cent rise in local real estate values.
India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with operational airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 166 till date. At the heart of this, transformation lies the UDAN scheme
Three-pronged approach
In the next phase of UDAN, the scheme will have a three-pronged approach focusing on strengthening Centre-sate/UT partnerships, creating aviation infrastructure and expanding regional air connectivity.
Centre-state coordination: A total of 21 MoUs were signed between the Government, participating states and Union Territories, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). These establish a framework for coordinated identification, development and operationalisation of aviation assets.
The framework will align with regional connectivity requirements and state/UT priorities.
Challenge Mode Portal: The dedicated portal enables state governments and UT administrations to nominate airstrips and helipads for development under the next phase of UDAN.
This allows states and UTs to identify locations with potential for aviation connectivity. It will facilitate the creation and upgradation of aviation infrastructure based on local requirements.
THE HORIZON AHEAD
UDAN has spent the last decade redefining India’s regional connectivity by operationalising routes and aerodromes and carrying crores of passengers. The next phase of regional aviation will depend on developing infrastructure that supports reliable and sustained operations across diverse geographies.
Through the Modified UDAN Scheme, the focus extends to aerodrome development, operational support and indigenous aviation capacity. These measures seek to address the infrastructure and viability challenges of regional air travel. They aim to create a stronger foundation for connectivity across the country.
