The government stated on Wednesday that the UDAN scheme has revolutionised the civil aviation sector by boosting regional connectivity and making air travel accessible to millions.

On 17 November, the domestic aviation industry achieved a significant milestone as 5,05,412 passengers flew on a single day, surpassing the 5-lakh daily passenger mark for the first time.

With over 3,100 flights operating across the country, this milestone underscores India’s rising stature in the global aviation market.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “The UDAN scheme has been instrumental in this transformation, operationalising 609 routes, including helicopter services, and seamlessly connecting states and union territories across the country.”

With growing advancements such as helicopter routes and last-mile connectivity, UDAN has bridged the gap between accessibility and aspirations, which is reshaping the country’s aviation landscape. 

The ministry added, “This relentless progress has now culminated in a historic milestone, showcasing the scheme’s far-reaching impact.”

The UDAN scheme was launched on 21 October 2016, and the first UDAN flight took off on 27 April 2017, which connected Shila to Delhi. 

The UDAN 5.0 series (5.0 to 5.4) introduced significant enhancements, such as eliminating distance restrictions, prioritising operational airports, expanding helicopter and small aircraft connectivity, and reinstating discontinued routes, thereby ensuring widespread last-mile air connectivity and affordability across India.

The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN has been instrumental in rejuvenating India’s civil aviation sector. Regional airlines like Flybig, Star Air, IndiaOne Air, and Fly91 have leveraged the scheme to establish sustainable business models, fostering a thriving ecosystem for regional air travel.

The government’s decision to extend the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme, ‘UDAN,’ for an additional 10 years is expected to further enhance connectivity on unserved routes in underserved areas, fulfilling the travel aspirations of common citizens.

As of October, the scheme has operationalised 609 routes and 86 airports, benefiting 1.44 crore passengers.

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