Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Underutilised Airports under UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 151

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## UNDERUTILISED AIRPORTS UNDER UDAN SCHEME

## 151.             DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is a fact that certain airports developed under the UDAN scheme are being underutilised or have limited commercial flight operations in various States across the country and if so, the details thereof, airport and State-wise including Maharashtra;
- (b) the details of the States including Maharashtra where commercial operations have either not commenced or have been discontinued;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  review  of  the  reasons  for  low participation of airlines and viability-related challenges under the UDAN routes and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the measures being taken by the Government in different parts of the country to  address  issues  such  as  low  passenger  demand  and  limited  interest  of  private airlines; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to make modifications to the UDAN model to ensure that regional airports do not become non-performing assets and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) and (b):  The Regional Connectivity Scheme -Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCSUDAN)  is an ongoing, market-driven scheme under which unserved and underserved  airports  are  offered  for  bidding  by  airlines  to  enhance  regional  air connectivity. Airlines submit bids based on demand and commercial viability, and valid bids are awarded for operationalisation of routes.

Currently,  15  airports  are  non-operational  due  to  operational  constraints  such  as weather limitations, VFR-only operations, aircraft shortages, airline related issues, and low passenger demand, including - Ludhiana, Pathankot (Punjab) Kushinagar, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti and Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh) Bhavnagar (Gujarat) Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) Kalaburagi  (Karnataka)  Datia  (Madhya  Pradesh)  Pakyong  (Sikkim)  and  Cooch Behar (West Bengal).

- (c):  Most scheduled Indian airlines have participated in the UDAN Scheme. The  Government  undertakes  periodic  reviews  with  all  stakeholders,  including State/UT Governments, DGCA, BCAS, airlines, and AAI, to identify and address viability-related challenges such as low passenger demand, limited visibility, slot

constraints, ATC watch hours, and availability of suitable aircraft.

(d) & (e): The Ministry continues to engage with operators and incorporates feedback from airlines, State Governments, and airport operators to refine scheme provisions, improve route viability, and enhance participation.

The Government has recently announced the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations across the country, and to cater  to  4  crore  passengers  in  the  next  10  years.  The  scheme  will  also  support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational and North East region districts.

*****