More than one crore air passengers have availed benefit of the UDAN scheme since its inception

Since the UDAN program's launch, more than one crore airline passengers have benefited from it. The programme focuses on connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities around the nation, and as connectivity between unserved and underserved airports improves, the number of beneficiaries will rise dramatically.

In order to cover more destinations/stations and routes, bidding rounds are frequently held as part of the ongoing UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) programme. Under the plan, four rounds have already been finished.

The "Revival/Upgradation of Unserved and Underserved Airports/Heliports/Water Aerodromes" Scheme is used to upgrade or develop airports that are part of UDAN-awarded routes and are necessary for the start of RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) operations. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), Public Sector Undertakings, and Civil Enclaves have received funding from the Indian Government totaling Rs. 4,500 crore (US$ 563.56 million) for the resurrection of existing unserved/underserved airports/airstrips.

Further, the Indian Government has accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of 21 greenfield airports across the country, out of which eight greenfield airports have been operationalised.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.