UDAN Celebrates Seven Years of Transformative Air Connectivity in India

In a noteworthy development, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) in India has successfully completed seven years, marking a significant milestone in enhancing air connectivity. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the aviation sector’s remarkable progress during the interim budget presentation for 2024. The UDAN initiative, a vital component of India’s National Civil Aviation Policy launched in 2016, has doubled the number of airports to 149 and significantly expanded air connectivity to tier-two and tier-three cities. Over the past six years, UDAN has facilitated travel for over 1.3 crore passengers, operationalizing 499 routes and connecting underserved regions. The latest iterations, UDAN 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2, focus on further enhancing connectivity and fostering the sustainable growth of the aviation industry. The success of UDAN is evident in the emergence of new regional airlines and the proactive orders for over 1,000 aircraft by Indian carriers, promising a vibrant future for air travel in India.