Lok Sabha Question No. 1472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Progress of UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1472

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## PROGRESS OF UDAN SCHEME

## 1472. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is satisfied with the progress of the UDAN
- scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the total number of routes launched under UDAN scheme so far and the routes currently operational in Tamil Nadu under the said scheme;
- (c) the impact of the said scheme in terms of increasing affordable air travel options for the common man, particularly in remote and underserved regions;
- (d) whether the Government has received any feedback from airlines and passengers regarding the challenges faced in implementing the said scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the measures being taken to ensure that UDAN routes remain financially sustainable, especially in the face of rising operational costs and competition from larger airlines; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes any expansion or revision of the said scheme in the coming years, particularly to include more destinations and improve service quality on existing routes and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (c) RCS-UDAN scheme was launched in 2016 to enhance remote and regional connectivity through expansion of aviation infrastructure in the country.  The  scheme  envisages  revival  /  upgradation  of  unserved  & underserved airports on its identification through valid bid & award to the SAO (Selected Airline Operator) to operate the route connecting the identified airport.

Since the commencement of the scheme, 619 RCS routes connecting 88 unserved and underserved airports (including 13 heliports & 02 water aerodromes) have been operationalised till date.

Currently, eight (08) routes are operational in Tamil Nadu under the scheme.

Promoting affordability of regional air connectivity is envisioned under UDAN by supporting Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) through concessions by the Central Government, State Governments/UTs and airport operators to reduce the cost of operations on regional routes and providing financial (Viability Gap Funding or VGF) support to meet the gap. (d) to (f)  UDAN is an ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time. The Scheme has also evolved and adapted to cater to the changing requirements and tackling the operational hurdles. UDAN 5.0 witnessed systemic changes in Scheme provisions to enable higher efficiency and operational sustainability while ensuring affordability and accessibility of air travel to the citizens of the country. As a result, over 149 lakh passengers have benefited from about 2.96 lakh RCS flights since the inception of the UDAN Scheme. To ensure that UDAN routes remain financially sustainable, Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is being provided to the Selected Airline Operators to cover the operational gap along-with the 3-year exclusivity and other concessions to be provided by Airport Operator & State Government on the awarded routes, as per the scheme provisions. The government has announced the launch  of modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations and cater to 4 crore passengers in the next 10 years

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