Six operators, who were awarded routes through the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional air connectivity scheme, are yet to initiate operations, according to VK Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
As of October 31, 103 regional connectivity scheme (RCS) routes were discontinued after three years, and 136 routes were discontinued before completing the three-year period, Singh reported in the Rajya Sabha.
Despite challenges in passenger loads, the government claims that, as of November 28, 517 routes connecting 76 airports have been operationalised, benefiting 13 million consumers.
Currently, nine airlines are participating in the scheme, with tweaks being sought to enhance its viability. SpiceJet, a regular RCS route bidder, has not participated in the last three UDAN schemes.
TrueJet, a 10-year-old airline, ceased operations some months ago, failing to provide services on committed routes like Belgaum-Hyderabad and Belgaum-Kadapa. Under UDAN 5.0, only three airlines — Star Air, Alliance Air, IndiGo — are operating flights.
Govt allocates Rs 3,659 crore
The government has collected Rs 3,659 crore under the regional air connectivity fund trust, disbursing Rs 3,020 crore to selected airline operators. With a target to operationalize 1,000 UDAN routes and develop 100 unserved and underserved airports by 2024.
A sum of Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated under Phase II of the scheme for the period 2023-26 for development and operationalisation of 50 new airports, heliports and water aerodromes.
Regional connectivity scheme
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman doubled the outlay for UDAN to Rs 1,244 crore for 2023-24, compared to the previous year’s budgetary estimates of Rs 601 crore. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia noted that the scheme has encouraged the procurement of various types of aircraft in the country, including 3-seater Tecnam, 9-seater Cessna 208B, 19-seater Twin Otter, 50-76-seater Embraer, 42-78-seater ATR and Q-400, as well as larger aircraft like 189-seater Airbus 320/321 and Boeing 737 for UDAN flights.