About Modified UDAN Scheme:
- The scheme aims to accelerate the next phase of aviation-led development.
- A key emphasis is on the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips to expand aviation infrastructure across the country.
- The scheme has been earmarked for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support to ensure the viability of regional airports during their initial years of operation.
- Additionally, an investment will fund the creation of modern helipads, and a continued Viability Gap Funding for airlines to sustain regional airline operations.
- The scheme promotes the induction of indigenous aircraft and helicopters, including HAL Dhruv and Dornier platforms, for operations in underserved and remote regions.
About UDAN Scheme:
- The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme is a Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) launched in October 2016 by the Government of India to enhance air connectivity to underserved and unserved regions.
- Objectives:
- Improve regional connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Make air travel affordable for common citizens.
- Promote balanced regional development.
- Enhance the infrastructure utilisation of unused and underutilised airports.
- The mission has two parts.
- First, make air travel affordable on short regional sectors where train journeys take 10-18 hours.
- Second, revive unserved and underserved airports — places that had runways but no scheduled commercial flights.
- The first UDAN flight took off on 27 April 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.
- Key Features:
- Airlines are selected through a competitive bidding mechanism.
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided to airlines to operate on less profitable routes.
- The Airports Authority of India has also waived off the airport fee for the same.
- At the same time, the state governments are also providing security, electricity, and fire-fighting facilities free of cost.
- 50% of seats are offered at a capped fare of around Rs. 2,500 per hour of flight.
- Focus on connecting remote, hilly, and island regions.
- Funding Mechanism:
- Initially funded through a Regional Connectivity Scheme levy imposed on flights operating on major routes.
- The levy subsidised airlines operating on regional routes.
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation runs it through the Airports Authority of India (AAI), which acts as the implementing agency for bidding, monitoring, and viability gap funding payouts to airlines.
- Phase-by-phase Summary:
- UDAN 1.0 (2017): 128 routes awarded; first commercial flight Delhi–Shimla.
- UDAN 2.0 (2018): added priority areas including the North-East, hill states, islands; helicopter routes introduced.
- UDAN 3.0 (2018-19): tourism-focused routes, seaplane operations, and select international connectivity.
- UDAN 4.0 (2020): further expansion to remote areas and water aerodromes, longer stage length allowed.
- UDAN 5.0 onwards: stage length raised to enable longer regional links; relaxation of viability period rules; helicopter and small-aircraft sub-schemes (Sagarmala Seaplane, Krishi UDAN, etc.)
