On UDAN Day, Kharola tells stakeholders: Make scheme sustainable on its own

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola asked stakeholders in the aviation sector to work towards making the UDAN scheme sustainable on its own and improve its efficiency. During a video conference to commemorate the UDAN day on Wednesday, he said that the UDAN scheme has established the importance of travelling by air for common man, especially to far-flung areas. Kharola congratulated the stakeholders and UDAN team for making the scheme successful with untiring efforts. He urged airlines to undertake marketing initiatives so that more and more people can avail the benefit of air travel under the UDAN scheme. 

'UDAN scheme has created a virtuous circle'

Kharola said that one of the most important features of the scheme is that different agencies have collaborated and synchronised their efforts towards the success of the scheme. He added that UDAN has created a virtuous circle wherein the UDAN routes feed the national network and the national routes further create new opportunities for people across the country, who then generate demand for more regional routes. State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Arvind Singh said that AAI is committed to building the infrastructure required for the UDAN scheme across the country.

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Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, thanked the stakeholders for their combined efforts and continuous support in making the UDAN scheme a success. She added that government has acknowledged the contribution of UDAN initiative and identified 21st October 2020 (the day on which the UDAN scheme document was first released) as UDAN Day.

AAI to develop 100 airports under RCS-UDAN

RCS-UDAN, "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik" is flagship programme of the government which aims to provide affordable, economically viable and profitable air travel on regional routes. This Regional Connectivity Scheme offers unique opportunity to common man to fly at an affordable price. UDAN has played a major role in adding new airports and routes to the aviation landscape of the country. Around 50 unserved and underserved airports (including 5 heliports) with 285 routes have been added under UDAN across the length and breadth of India. As the implementing agency, AAI has an ambitious plan to develop at least 100 airports/waterdromes/heliports by 2024 under the scheme.

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