₹30,000cr boost for UDAN: More affordable flights, more places to go
Big news from the Union Budget 2025-26—India's UDAN scheme, which helps make flying cheaper and connects smaller cities, is getting a huge ₹30,000 crore upgrade. The plan aims to keep the scheme running past April 2027.
Out of the total, ₹18,000 crore is set aside for building new airports and ₹12,000 crore will help airlines cover costs on less-profitable routes.
The proposal has been reviewed by the finance committee and now awaits a final decision and Cabinet nod.
What's changing? More destinations, better access
UDAN started in 2016 to make air travel possible for more people in remote areas.
With this expansion, 120 new places—including small towns and hilly regions—could soon get direct flights or even helipads.
Over the next decade, they're hoping to serve four crore passengers and fix earlier issues by encouraging private investment and letting airlines suggest routes based on real demand.