India’s regional air connectivity is set for a major expansion, with the Centre scaling up the UDAN scheme with an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore for its next phase. The 10-year programme is aimed at expanding air links to unserved and underserved areas and improving connectivity beyond the country’s major aviation hubs.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted the scale of the investment while chairing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in Mysuru on Friday, according to PIB.

The meeting focused on the next phase of UDAN, along with reforms in the country’s pilot training ecosystem.

Rs 28,840 crore for next phase of UDAN

Highlighting the expansion, Naidu said, “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.”

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According to the official release, Naidu said aviation is increasingly becoming “an engine of regional development and inclusive economic growth”, benefiting farmers, exporters, businesses and communities.

What does the UDAN expansion mean for flyers?

The Union Cabinet had on March 25, 2026, approved the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN for 10 years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, with the same Rs 28,840 crore outlay.

The programme aims to improve connectivity to unserved and underserved areas, support affordable air travel and improve access in remote and hilly regions. It is also expected to support tourism, trade and economic activity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

100 airports, 200 modern helipads proposed

Under Modified UDAN, 100 airports are proposed to be developed from existing unserved airstrips, with Rs 12,159 crore earmarked over eight years, according to the March Cabinet announcement.

The programme also proposes 200 modern helipads in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions, with an outlay of Rs 3,661 crore.

Another Rs 2,577 crore is estimated for operation and maintenance support for around 441 aerodromes, including airports, heliports and water aerodromes.

Airlines operating awarded regional routes are proposed to receive Rs 10,043 crore in Viability Gap Funding (VGF) over 10 years, aimed at supporting the viability of regional services.

Pilot training capacity expands

The Mysuru meeting also reviewed India’s pilot training ecosystem. According to the latest PIB release, the number of Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) increased from 32 in 2020 to 41 in 2026, while flying bases rose from 32 to 63.

Naidu said India wants to train domestically the skilled workforce needed to support the country’s aviation expansion as airlines add more aircraft.