Lok Sabha Question No. 783 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-07
Subject: Routes under UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sudheer Gupta, Sambhajirao Mane Dhairyasheel, Shrirang Appa Barne, Prataprao  Jadhav, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 783 (To be answered on the 7 th  December 2023)

## ROUTES UNDER UDAN

783.

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

SHRI SANJAY SADASHIVRAO MANDLIK

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE

SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  total  number  of  routes  operationalized  under  the  regional  air connectivity scheme UDAN since its inception and the number of persons
- benefitted from it;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to include more routes under the UDAN scheme and if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government has identified such routes in the country and if so, the details in this regard;
- (d) whether UDAN scheme has contributed significantly in the growth of civil aviation industry in the country and generated demand for new aircrafts and if so, the details in this regard; and
- (e) whether the Government has also amended the rules for commercial pilot licenses to further improve ease of doing business in the aviation sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a): As on 30.11.2023, 517 RCS routes have been operationalised under UDAN since its inception. More than 130 lakh people have so far benefited from the Scheme.
- (b) and (c): UDAN is an ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time for covering more destinations/stations and routes under the scheme. Routes have been awarded under UDAN Round 5.0   to the

Selected Airlines Operators (SAOs) for operation under the scheme. In addition to the above,UDAN round 5.1 And 5.2 have been launched to enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country through helicopters and connectivity through small aircraft. (d): Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) has contributed to the growth of civil aviation sector by promoting  connectivity of underserved and unserved airports. 130 Plus number of city pairs have been created and 2.47 Lakh flights have operated under the UDAN scheme so far. UDAN scheme has encouraged procurement of different type of aircraft in the country. At present 3 seater Tecnam, 9 seater Cessna 208B, 19 seater Twin Otter, 50 seater Embraer 145, 42/72/78 seater ATR and Q-400 as well as bigger aircraft like 189 seater Airbus 320/321and B737 are in operation for UDAN flights. 13 Airlines have commenced operations under UDAN, including start-ups. UDAN scheme has been the cradle for birth of new Airlines like IndiaOne, Star Air, FlyBig and Fly91. (e): The following amendments have been incorporated in Aircraft Rules 1937 in the recent past to improve ease of doing business in the aviation sector with respect to Commercial Pilot licenses being issued :1. Easing out of flying experience requirements for issue of Airlines Transport Pilots License (Aeroplane/Helicopter) in Section M and N of Schedule II of Aircraft Rules, 1937 (w.e.f. 07th January 2020) towards enabling co-pilots to become pilots-in-command. 2.Validity of FRTOL (Flight Radio Telephony License) increased upto the validity of RTR (Radio Telephony) license and validity of Student Pilot License (SPL) has been increased from erstwhile 5 years to 10 years w.e.f 08th April 2022. 3.Validity  of  Commercial  Pilot  and  Airline  transport  license  has  been increased from erstwhile 5 years to 10 years w.e.f 10th October 2023.

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