Lok Sabha Question No. 102 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Achievements of Regional Connectivity Scheme–UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. : 102

(To be answered on the 27 th  July 2023)

## ACHIEVEMENTS OF REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY SCHEME-UDAN

## *102. SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the main objectives of Regional Connectivity Scheme - UDAN and the details of the major achievements made so far since its launch;
- (b) the total number of routes allocated under UDAN scheme and the total revenue generated therefrom during the financial year 2022-2023;
- (c) the modalities for deciding the airfares for Business Class and Economy Class passengers;
- (d) whether the airfares do not include the right to choose seat and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether it is true that the passengers have to pay separately for airfares and reservation of seats and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the details of privileges provided to the Members of Parliament in flights?

## ANSWER

(Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia)

- (a) to (f): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 102 REGARDING "ACHIEVEMENTS OF REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY

SCHEME-UDAN" TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023 (a) & (b) :  The Government launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) in October 2016 to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country for making air travel affordable to the masses through revival of the existing  airstrips  and  airports.  The  aim  of  the  scheme  is  to  bring  air connectivity to  Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities, by taking up existing airstrips which are  identified  through  UDAN  bidding  rounds,  for  development  and upgradation under the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme.  To achieve this objective the scheme envisages (1) concessions by Central Government, State Governments and airport operators to reduce the cost of airline operations on regional routes / other support measures and (2) financial (Viability Gap Funding, VGF) support to meet the gap, if any, between the cost of airline operations and expected revenues on such routes. On the basis of four rounds of bidding under UDAN,  479 routes have commenced connecting 74 unserved and underserved airports (including 9 heliports & 02 water aerodromes) . UDAN is not a revenue generating scheme. (c) Airfares are neither established nor regulated by the Government. Under the provisions of Sub Rule (1) of Rule, 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, every air transport undertaking engaged in scheduled air services is required to establish tariff having regard to all relevant factors. (d) & (e)  : Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Air Transport Circular 01 of 2021, titled "Unbundling of services and fees by scheduled airlines" which provides for airlines charging separately for preferential seating. (f) : The facilities provided to  the Members of Parliament in flights  are as per AVSEC CIRCULAR No. 09/2021 issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) titled  'Protocol/Courtesy/Facilitation to Hon'ble Members of Parliament at Civil Aerodromes/Civil Enclaves in India'.

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