The government of India has confirmed that its UDAN scheme will run for a further 10 years. Initially created in October 2016, the scheme will ensure the continuation of connecting 120 destinations while further enhancing the number of flyers.
The Scheme in more Detail
UDAN is an acronym for “Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik”. The scheme’s primary aim is to increase the number of passengers in the fastest-growing aviation market on the planet by ensuring that flights are affordable.
The total number of India’s airports benefiting from this scheme is 88, including Pakyong, Solapur, and Kushinagar airports. These airports have combined to help deliver approximately 14 million passengers using the 619 routes created.
Several Indian airlines, such as SpiceJet, Air Deccan, and Star Air, are also benefiting from this scheme.
So What Does The Scheme’s Extension Mean for India?
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of the scheme’s extension provides great news for India’s citizens who wish to fly more.
Its extension means that the flight fares on offer from India’s airlines will remain capped at a set price over the next 10 years. This will make purchasing these fares easier for the further 40 million citizens looking to fly more.
Chairman and Managing Director at SpiceJet, Ajay Singh, said:
“With the launch of a modified UDAN scheme that will introduce 120 new destinations and bring 40 million additional passengers in to the fold over the next decade, the aviation landscape in India is set for a transformative shift.”
CEO of Star Air, Simran Singh Tiwana, also commented on the extension:
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision of enhancing regional connectivity by linking Tier-3 and tier-2 cities directly to urban hubs, making air travel more accessible than ever.”
Let us know your thoughts on this scheme’s extension in the comments below.
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