Regional aviation routes, airlines under UDAN scheme announced

AMN

Government today announced regional aviation routes and airlines after the first round of bidding under Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN, Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.

Announcing this, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju said, all flights in first round will become active within 4-6 months. He said, UDAN will have a positive effect on the economy in terms of employment and investment. UDAAN network will cover the whole country, giving a major economic boost to hinterland areas.

Five airlines will operate on 128 routes under the regional connectivity scheme wherein fares are capped at 2,500 rupees for one-hour flights. Over 45 unserved and under-served airports will be connected under the scheme that seeks to make flying more affordable.

The operators are Air India subsidiary Airline Allied Services, SpiceJet, Air Deccan, Air Odisha and Turbo Megha. They would be operating 19 to 78 seater aircraft. The airports that would be connected under UDAN include Bhatinda, Puducherry and Shimla.

Under UDAN, the operators would be extended viability gap funding. The amount is estimated to be around 205 crore rupees per annum for the operators chosen in the first round of bidding.