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India Extends UDAN Beyond 2027, Plans About 120 New Regional Destinations

Fresh funding plus seaplane guidelines signal a broader push to connect remote regions.

Overview

  • Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the Expanded UDAN will prioritise hilly, North-Eastern, and aspirational areas.
  • Since launch, the scheme has carried over 1.56 crore passengers on 3.23 lakh flights.
  • UDAN has operationalised 649 routes linking 93 unserved or underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.
  • The government has disbursed more than Rs 4,300 crore in Viability Gap Funding, alongside Rs 4,638 crore for airport development under RCS.
  • Recent moves include UDAN 5.5 with Letters of Intent for 150 seaplane and helicopter routes to 30 water aerodromes.