UDAN scheme to connect 120 new places in next decade
India is ramping up its UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme to make flying more accessible, with plans to connect 120 new places over the next decade.
The government is considering new funding approaches—including direct incentives and continued use of the existing flight levy—to further expand connectivity to underserved areas.
UDAN has already transformed air travel
Since 2016, UDAN has already brought affordable flights to 93 smaller airports and even launched heliports and water aerodromes, making travel easier for over 1.5 crore people.
Now, with the launch of UDAN 5.5 for seaplanes and helicopters, expect better links to remote spots like coastal towns and the North-East.
The new funding will help keep ticket prices in check and support smaller airlines, which means more options for travel, easier access to healthcare or jobs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and a boost for local tourism and trade—all while making flying less of a luxury and more of an everyday thing.