How will UDAN 2.0 scheme benefit consumers? Check key features of the aviation initiative

Imagine boarding a formation from a tiny metropolis airdrome that hardly existed a fewer years ago, that’s the benignant of connectivity India is present aiming to expand. The Centre has fixed the greenish awesome to UDAN 2.0, a revamped mentation of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme, with an outlay of implicit Rs 28,000 crore to further boost determination aerial travel.The modified strategy focuses connected strengthening determination aerial connectivity done caller airdrome infrastructure, enhanced fiscal enactment for airlines, and operational assistance for smaller aerodromes. It builds connected the archetypal UDAN inaugural launched successful 2016, which has already connected 95 airports and facilitated implicit 3.41 lakh flights, carrying much than 162 lakh passengers.The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the motorboat and implementation of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN (UDAN 2.0) for a 10-year play from FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36, with a full outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.

How volition UDAN 2.0 payment consumers?

Aimed astatine importantly expanding affordable aerial connectivity crossed the country, particularly successful underserved and unserved regions, UDAN 2.0 is expected to bring wide-ranging benefits for consumers and the broader economy. The strategy volition amended aerial connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, making aerial question much accessible and affordable for a larger conception of the population. It is besides apt to boost tourism, commercialized and section economies by improving determination entree and mobility.

For consumers, it volition heighten entree to healthcare and exigency services successful distant areas by reducing question clip to large centres. In addition, the strategy volition fortify determination aviation infrastructure, enactment indigenous aerospace manufacturing nether the imaginativeness of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and lend to the semipermanent extremity of Viksit Bharat 2047 by gathering a much connected and inclusive transport web crossed the country.

Key features of the UDAN 2.0 scheme

Expansion of airdrome infrastructureIn a large propulsion to bring unserved and underserved regions of India onto the aviation map, the Modi authorities connected Wednesday approved a modified Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for a 10-year play with a fund outlay of Rs 28,840 crore. Under the plan, 100 airports volition beryllium developed astatine existing unserved airstrips to fortify determination connectivity, astatine a outgo of Rs 12,159 crore.Support for aerodrome cognition and maintenanceTo guarantee sustainability of low-traffic determination airports, the authorities volition supply Operation & Maintenance (O&M) enactment for 3 years.

The assistance is capped astatine Rs 3.06 crore per airdrome annually and Rs 0.90 crore per heliport/water aerodrome. The full allocation for this constituent is Rs 2,577 crore for astir 441 aerodromes.Development of modern helipadsThe strategy includes the operation of 200 modern helipads successful hilly, remote, land and aspirational districts to amended exigency effect and connectivity. Each helipad volition outgo astir Rs 15 crore, taking the full outlay for this conception to Rs 3,661 crore.Viability spread backing (VGF) for airlinesAirline operators volition proceed to person fiscal enactment nether the strategy to run determination routes. The authorities has projected Rs 10,043 crore successful VGF enactment implicit 10 years, helping amended way viability and promote wider information by carriers.Atmanirbhar Bharat craft acquisitionTo code the shortage of tiny craft and fortify home manufacturing, the strategy includes procurement of indigenous craft and helicopters, including 2 HAL Dhruv helicopters for Pawan Hans and 2 HAL Dornier craft for Alliance Air.Since its motorboat successful October 2016, the UDAN strategy has operationalised 663 routes crossed 95 airports, heliports and h2o aerodromes (as of February 28, 2026). It has enabled implicit 3.41 lakh flights and carried 162.47 lakh passengers, importantly improving connectivity successful remote, hilly and land regions portion promoting determination aviation growth.