UDAN flies 1.56 crore passengers in 9 years
India’s regional air connectivity program has transported more than 15.6 million travelers across 323,000 flights since its 2016 launch, the Civil Aviation Ministry reported Tuesday. The initiative has activated 649 routes linking 93 previously unconnected airports, among them 15 helicopter facilities and two water landing sites.
Federal authorities have allocated over 430 billion rupees in financial support to airlines and invested 463.8 billion rupees in airport infrastructure through regional connectivity programs. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha noted the scheme began operations with a flight between Shimla and Delhi in April 2017, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Officials plan to extend the program past April 2027 with expanded service to mountainous areas, northeastern states, and developing regions while adding approximately 120 destinations. The ministry introduced seaplane operation guidelines in August 2024 and approved 150 routes connecting 30 water facilities across coastal and island territories.
