Ministry
of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN
(Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21 October 2016 to enhance regional air
connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country and make air
travel affordable to the masses. UDAN is a market driven scheme. Interested
airlines, based on their assessment of demand on particular routes, submit
their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN.
UDAN
is a demand driven scheme, wherein airline operators assess the feasibility of
operation on a particular route and submit bids under the scheme from time to
time. An airport which is included in the awarded routes of UDAN and requires
upgradation/development for commencement of UDAN operations, is developed under
the 'Revival of unserved and underserved airports' scheme. On the basis of five
rounds of biddings, 76 airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 9
Helipads in different regions of the country, have been developed and
operationalised by RCS flights. The RCS scheme also mandates Regional
Connectivity Fund allocation to regions in a manner that promotes balanced
growth/regional connectivity in different parts of the country.
519
routes have been operationalised since inception of the RCS- UDAN Scheme. The
routes include 53 tourism routes and 48 helicopter routes connecting hilly
regions of the nation.
More
than 133.86 lakh passengers have benefited from the UDAN flights. 2.56 lakh
flights have operated under the UDAN scheme so far.
The
UDAN scheme has encouraged procurement of different type of aircraft in the
country. Presently, 3 seater Tecnam, 9 seater Cessna 208B, 19 seater Twin
Otter, 50 seater Embraer 145, 42/72/78 seater ATR and Q-400 as well as bigger
aircraft like 189 seater Airbus 320/321and B737 are in operation for UDAN
flights.
13
airlines have commenced operations under UDAN, including start-ups. The scheme
has been the cradle for birth of new airlines like Air Taxi, IndiaOne, Star
Air, FlyBig and Fly91.
UDAN
has become a game changer for many airports by triggering air connectivity and
regional growth.
