UDAN Aerodrome Operationalisation Slows Down To 5 In 2025

The pace of aerodrome operationalisation under the Ministry of Civil Aviation's flagship Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN has seen a significant slowdown in recent years.

According to official figures, a total of 95 unserved and underserved aerodromes have been operationalised across 34 States and union territories since the scheme's inception.

However, the number of aerodromes operationalised has been steadily decreasing, from 18 in 2018 to just 5 in 2025.

The scheme got off to a rapid start in 2017, with 16 aerodromes operationalised, but the figure has been consistently falling since then.

Moreover, only two heliports have been added to the list in the current year.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has shifted its focus from mainstream regional airports to specialised, difficult-terrain infrastructure such as heliports.

Under UDAN 5.1, the Ministry emphasized last-mile connectivity in remote and hilly regions, operationalising five targeted heliports in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

The remaining unserved locations present complex execution challenges, including strict terrain constraints and limited commercial viability for airline operators.

The union aviation ministry has launched the second phase of UDAN, extending it till 2036, with an aim to upgrade 100 unserved airstrips into full-fledged airports and construct 200 helipads over eight years.

The new RCS scheme will also provide VGF support to airline operators worth Rs 10,043 crore for 10 years.

This slowdown in operationalisation is a significant concern, as it may impact the scheme's ability to achieve its goals.

The Ministry needs to address the challenges and find ways to accelerate the operationalisation of aerodromes to ensure the success of the UDAN scheme.

The scheme has successfully connected key Tier-2 and Tier-3 centers, but more needs to be done to achieve its objectives.

The slowdown in operationalisation may have significant implications for the development of regional infrastructure and the growth of the aviation sector in India.

It is essential for the Ministry to take corrective measures to address the challenges and ensure the scheme's success.