1 week ago
India to Invest Rs 28,840 Crore in 10-Year UDAN Expansion
India plans to spend Rs 28,840 crore to improve air travel outside its biggest cities.
The plan is called Modified UDAN.
It will run for 10 years, from 2026-27 to 2035-36.
The government wants more flights to places that have few or no air services.
It plans to develop 100 airports and build 200 helipads.
Money will also help operate about 441 airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
Airlines may receive support so that regional routes can continue operating.
The government also wants to train more pilots in India as airlines add aircraft.
The Centre will spend Rs 28,840 crore on Modified UDAN from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36.
The programme aims to connect unserved and underserved areas and make regional air travel more accessible.
Plans include developing 100 airports, building 200 modern helipads and supporting about 441 aerodromes.
Airlines operating awarded regional routes are proposed to receive Rs 10,043 crore in Viability Gap Funding.
Flying Training Organisations increased from 32 to 41, while flying bases rose from 32 to 63 between 2020 and 2026.
- Who
- The Centre, led on aviation matters by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
- What
- Approved a Rs 28,840 crore, 10-year expansion of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN, alongside measures to expand pilot training.
- Where
- Across India, including unserved and underserved, remote, hilly, island and aspirational areas; the meeting took place in Mysuru.
- When
- The programme will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36; the minister discussed it at a meeting in 2026.
- Why
- To improve regional air connectivity, support affordable travel and promote tourism, trade and economic activity in smaller cities and remote areas.
Key facts
- Total outlay
- Rs 28,840 crore over 10 years
- Programme period
- FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36
- Airport development
- 100 airports proposed from existing unserved airstrips, with Rs 12,159 crore over eight years
- Helipad construction
- 200 modern helipads proposed, with Rs 3,661 crore
- Aerodrome support
- Rs 2,577 crore estimated for operations and maintenance of around 441 aerodromes
- Airline support
- Rs 10,043 crore in proposed Viability Gap Funding over 10 years
- Pilot training capacity
- Flying Training Organisations increased from 32 in 2020 to 41 in 2026, and flying bases from 32 to 63
Quotes
Ram Mohan Naidu
India’s Civil Aviation Minister
“In the last ten years, we invested around Rs 10,000 crore in airport development and Viability Gap Funding for the airlines. We are now taking this ambition to a new scale with unprecedented award of Rs 28,840 crore under the Next Phase of UDAN.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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