UDAN 3.0

About: 

• UDAN is an acronym for “Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik”. 
  
  
• It is a Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) which attempts to connect smaller towns with bigger cities to develop the regional aviation market. 
  
  
• The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. 
  
  
• It will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.  
  
  
• It was officially launched in 2017. 
  
  
• Under the first two phases of UDAN, airlines are already operating on 120 routes to 37 unserved and underserved airports. 
  
  

UDAN Round 3: 

• Under the latest round of the scheme, 73 proposals were awarded to 11 airlines that will connect a total of 39 airports. These include 16 unserved airports, 17 underserved airports and six water aerodromes. 
  
  
• Key Features of UDAN 3 included – 
  • Inclusion of Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes, 
    
    
  • Inclusion of Tourism Routes suggested by the Ministry of Tourism and 
    
    
  • Bringing in a number of routes in the North-East Region under the ambit of UDAN.