479 RCS-UDAN routes now operational, connecting 74 Airports, including 2 water Aerodromes and 9 Heliports
The Regional Air Connectivity Fund Trust (RACFT) has released a total of Rs. 2729.11 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to Selected Airline Operators for the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (UdeDeshkaAamNagrik) Scheme as of 30th June 2023. This move has facilitated the operation of 479 routes, linking 74 airports, along with 2 Water Aerodromes and 9 heliports, benefiting more than 123 lakh passengers.
The RCS-UDAN Scheme has been instrumental in driving substantial growth in the civil aviation sector, with several key developments projected for the next five years:
i. The Government has taken steps to operationalize 21 Greenfield airports across the country, with 11 of them already in operation, and construction works at six others progressing.
ii. The industry foresees a demand for approximately 1000 pilots annually in India over the next five years. To meet this requirement, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has introduced a liberalized Flying Training Organization policy.
iii. Major domestic airlines are expected to make over 900 additions to their fleets, as per industry projections.
iv. With the aim of expanding air connectivity, the Government has set ambitious targets to operationalize 1000 UDAN routes and revive/develop 100 unserved and underserved airports, heliports, and water aerodromes in the country by 2024. Under the UDAN scheme, bidding rounds are conducted periodically to add more destinations, stations, and routes, driven by market demand. Interested airlines submit proposals during the bidding process based on their assessment of demand for particular routes. Airports included in the awarded UDAN routes that require upgradation or development are catered to under the ‘Revival of unserved and underserved airports’ scheme.
