Lok Sabha Question No. 2241 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Airports, Heliports and Water Aerodromes under UDAN
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2241

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th February 2026 )

## AIRPORTS, HELIPORTS AND WATER AERODROMES UNDER UDAN

2241.    SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of airports, heliports and water aerodromes operationalized under the UDAN scheme during the last year;
- (b) the reasons for any shortfall in targets;
- (c) the specific initiatives undertaken by the Government to enhance cargo handling capacity at various airports across the country; and
- (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to address challenges faced by airlines in aircraft leasing and financing and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b): Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCSUDAN), 06(six) aerodromes, including 02 heliports have been operationalised during 2024-25.

Development of  aerodromes,  particularly  heliports  and  water  aerodromes,  involves long gestation periods due to feasibility studies, design, approvals and construction processes.  Challenges  related  to  land  availability,  acquisition,  environmental  and statutory  clearances,  and  regulatory  approvals  further  delay  execution.  Inadequate technical expertise and fund constraints with State Governments also impact progress. Non-availability of suitable aircraft with airlines and an evolving regulatory framework have also contributed to delays.

(c): Airports Authority of India (AAI) created a 100% wholly owned subsidiary namely AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) to meet the growing need of Air Cargo development in the country.  AAICLAS has implemented Simplified Tariff in April, 2023 for Domestic Air Cargo facilities established at NonAERA  airports  managed  by  AAI.  The  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  (MoCA)  has approved a grant for the fiscal years 2024-25, 2025-26, and 2026-27 to cover Customs Cost Recovery Charges (CCRC) for AAICLAS self-managed air cargo terminals at airports in Tier-II&III cities.

(d): The Government has setup International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City and has harmonised the ecosystem of the country with global practices. Further, Government  has  undertaken  various  regulatory  and  fiscal  reforms  such  as  tax exemptions, holidays etc. to promote aircraft leasing and financing within the country.

The Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025 was passed by the Parliament in 2025 and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified the requisite rules thereunder. The Act has come into force with effect from 01.05.2025.

More recently, it has been proposed in Union Budget 2026-27 to increase the period of deduction under section 147 to 20 consecutive years out of 25 years for units in IFSC and  20  consecutive  years  for  Offshore  Banking  Units  (OBUs).  It  has  also  been proposed that the business income of these units from IFSC after the expiry of period of deduction will be taxed at rate of 15%.

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