Eight years ago, flying was still a dream for many living in small towns and remote corners of India. Today, thanks to the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, that dream is taking off—literally.
Launched in 2016, UDAN aimed to make air travel affordable and accessible. The scheme subsidised airfares and connected unserved and underserved airports across the country. Over the last eight years, it has changed the game for small-town citizens, businesses, and even regional tourism.
Milestones and Impact
So far, the scheme has launched more than 500 routes, connecting 76 airports, including heliports and water aerodromes. UDAN has made air travel possible from smaller cities like Jharsuguda, Darbhanga, and Hubli. People who had never seen an airport are now frequent flyers.
This has also benefitted small entrepreneurs, farmers, and healthcare seekers. Farmers can now transport perishable goods faster. Patients can reach top-tier hospitals in metros without overnight train journeys. Tourism has received a huge boost in states like Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and the Northeast.
The government is now pushing UDAN 5.2, which focuses on sustainable aviation and greenfield airports. Plans include more heliports, electric aircraft trials, and subsidy reforms to support longer-term viability.
The UDAN model is also being studied internationally. It’s being seen as a scalable framework for affordable air travel across developing nations.
From remote villages to regional capitals, UDAN is helping India take flight—one route at a time. It has not only transformed the aviation landscape but also rewritten the definition of mobility in New India.
