As many as 651 air routes have been operationalised across the country under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), significantly expanding India’s regional aviation network by connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes, the government informed Parliament on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said the UDAN scheme has emerged as one of the Centre’s flagship initiatives to democratise air travel and ensure affordable connectivity for people living in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, hilly regions and geographically remote areas. As of November 30, the minister said, the operationalised routes have substantially widened India’s aviation footprint beyond major metropolitan hubs.
The minister emphasised that UDAN was conceptualised to address the long-standing gap in regional air connectivity by making flying affordable for the “aam nagrik”, while also encouraging airlines to operate on routes that were earlier considered commercially unviable. Through viability gap funding and other incentives, the scheme has enabled the revival of several small airports and airstrips that had remained unused for decades.
Strong footprint in Uttar Pradesh
Highlighting the impact of the scheme in Uttar Pradesh, Naidu informed the House that 87 UDAN routes connecting 12 airports in the state have already been operationalised. These routes have helped improve air connectivity between smaller cities and major aviation hubs, facilitating faster movement of people and goods.
The enhanced connectivity, he said, has had a multiplier effect on regional mobility, tourism, trade and local economic activity, particularly in districts that were previously dependent on long road or rail journeys to access air services. Improved air links have also strengthened administrative connectivity and emergency response capabilities in the state.
Modified UDAN scheme on the anvil
The civil aviation minister further told Parliament that the government has announced a modified version of the UDAN scheme with the objective of taking regional connectivity to the next level. The revamped programme proposes to connect 120 new destinations across the country, including several in Uttar Pradesh and other large states.
According to Naidu, the modified scheme is expected to cater to nearly four crore passengers over the next 10 years, reflecting the growing demand for regional air travel. He added that the revised UDAN framework is currently at the approval stage, after which further details regarding routes, incentives and implementation timelines will be finalised.
Process for new airports
Explaining the framework for developing new airports, the minister said that under the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, any airport developer, including state governments, must follow a structured process. This includes identifying a suitable site, conducting a pre-feasibility study, and submitting a proposal to the Central Government for site clearance, followed by in-principle approval.
Under this policy, Naidu said, the Government of India has granted in-principle approval to 24 greenfield airports across the country. Of these, 13 airports have already been operationalised, contributing to the expansion of aviation infrastructure in both developed and emerging regions.
Continuous infrastructure upgradation
The minister underlined that the upgradation of airport infrastructure and passenger amenities is a continuous process. Such works are undertaken either by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) or by private airport operators, in coordination with state governments.
These upgrades are carried out based on operational requirements, passenger traffic trends, demand projections and commercial feasibility, he said. Facilities such as terminal buildings, runways, navigation systems and passenger amenities are being strengthened to ensure smoother operations and an improved travel experience.
Addressing concerns related to aviation safety amid rapid expansion, Naidu assured Parliament that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintains a robust oversight mechanism to ensure compliance with safety standards. This includes regular surveillance, spot checks and audits conducted under an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP).
The regulator, he said, ensures that all audit observations are addressed through verified corrective actions, reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards even as the aviation sector grows rapidly.
Growing passenger base under UDAN
Providing cumulative figures on the scheme’s reach, the minister said that over 157 lakh passengers have benefited from the operation of 3.27 lakh UDAN flights so far. These flights have connected multiple destinations across the country, particularly Tier-II cities and remote regions, making air travel more accessible and affordable for the common citizen.
Naidu concluded by stating that the UDAN scheme has not only transformed regional air connectivity but has also laid the foundation for balanced regional development, aligning with the government’s broader vision of inclusive growth and infrastructure-led economic expansion.
