UDAN scheme : The UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme has brought about a big change in the aviation sector of the country. Due to this scheme, the number of airports in the country has doubled to 157, which was 74 in 2014. The government aims to increase it to 350 to 400 by 2047. This information was given by the central government on Sunday.

The number of domestic air passengers has doubled in the last decade. Indian airlines are also increasing their fleet. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said that the objective of 'UDAN' is to increase regional air connectivity. The purpose is to provide services at affordable prices to places where flight services are less or not available.

Seventh anniversary of the Udaan scheme

The ministry said that today we are celebrating the seventh anniversary of the UDAN scheme. It reflects the commitment of the Government of India to improve infrastructure, and connectivity in remote areas. Regional airlines like FlyBig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have benefited from this scheme, have developed sustainable business models, and contributed to creating a regional air travel ecosystem.

Indian airlines have placed orders for over 1,000 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the next 10-15 years, adding to the existing fleet of around 800 aircraft. The first flight under the UDAN scheme was launched on April 27, 2017, from Shimla to Delhi.

Udan operates on a market-driven model, where airlines assess demand on specific routes and submit proposals during a bidding round. According to the ministry, the government has implemented several measures to attract airlines to operate flights in less attractive markets.

Landing and parking charges were waived.

Airport operators have waived landing and parking charges for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) does not levy Terminal Navigation Landing Charges (TNLC) on these flights. In addition, a concessional Route Navigation and Facilitation Charge (RNFC) has been introduced. Excise duty on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) purchased at RCS airports was fixed at 2 percent for the first three years.

Airlines are also encouraged to enter into code-sharing agreements to expand their reach. UDAN 3.0 has introduced tourist routes connecting several destinations in the Northeast region, while UDAN 5.1 focuses on expanding helicopter services in hilly areas to encourage tourism, hospitality, and local economic development.