Lok Sabha Question No. 3390 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Routes under RCS-UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri B Y Raghavendra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3390

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## ROUTES UNDER RCS-UDAN SCHEME

## 3390.    SHRI B Y RAGHAVENDRA Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is true that the selected Airline Operators awarded routes under the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme  (RCS)-UDAN  are  required  to  enter  into formal  agreements  stipulating  timelines  and  operational  commitments  for commencement of flight services and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  total  number  of  routes  awarded  under  the  UDAN  scheme  since  its inception  on  which  operations  have  not  commenced  within  the  stipulated timeframe, State-wise, particularly in Karnataka;

(c) the safeguards incorporated in the scheme framework including Performance Bank  Guarantees  (PBGs),  Viability  Gap  Funding  (VGF)  conditions  or  other financial securities to ensure adherence to operational commitments by airline operators;

(d) whether such safeguards have been invoked in cases of non-commencement or prolonged delay in operationalisation and if so, the details thereof along with the number of such instances; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  review  to  further  strengthen monitoring and implementation mechanisms so that the objectives of regional connectivity  and  balanced  aviation  growth  are  fully  realised  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a):  Under  the  provisions  of  the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme,  the  routes awarded to Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) through the competitive bidding process  are  required  to  sign  a  Selected  Airline  Operator  Agreement  (SAOA) with  the  Implementing  Agency.  The  agreement  stipulates  various  obligations including timelines  for  commencement of operations, minimum weekly flight frequencies, adherence to capped airfares for RCS seats. The SAOs are required to operationalize the awarded routes within the stipulated timeframe specified in the agreement.

(b):  Since  inception  of  the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme,  925  RCS  routes stand awarded, out of which 663 have been operationalised.

In  the  State  of  Karnataka,  128  RCS  valid  routes  have  been  awarded  in Karnataka, out of which 118 RCS routes have been operationalised.

(c)  &  (d):  Performance  Bank  Guarantee  submitted  by  the  Selected  Airline Operator  shall  be  liable  for  partial  or  full  forfeiture  as  per  the  terms  and conditions of the Selected Airline Operator Agreement.

Upon such forfeiture, the Selected Airline Operator will be required to replenish the Performance  Guarantee  within  a specified period, failing which  the Implementing  Agency  may  terminate  the  Agreement  and  proceed  as  per provisions of the Agreement and the Scheme.

(e): Based on the experience gained during various bidding rounds, appropriate modifications  and  refinements  in  scheme  guidelines,  monitoring  mechanisms and  implementation  processes  have  been  undertaken  from  time  to  time  to strengthen  regional  connectivity  and  ensure  balanced  growth  of  the  aviation sector in the country.

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