UDAN scheme falters in Gujarat as half of routes shut, yet Centre plans expansion

The Indian Central Government's regional connectivity scheme ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN) has struggled to sustain operations in Gujarat, with most of the 71 routes launched under it becoming defunct even as the government plans further expansion, according to official data.

The scheme, launched in 2016 to make air travel affordable and connect smaller cities, capped fares for short-haul flights at around ₹2,500. However, its implementation has faced challenges, particularly after the withdrawal of subsidies.

Parliamentary data shows that of the 663 routes launched across the country, 327—nearly 50%—have been discontinued. 

In Gujarat, a majority of the 71 routes introduced under the scheme are no longer operational, officials said.

A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India indicated that only 7 to 10% of UDAN routes have remained viable without government support.

Airlines operating under the scheme receive viability gap funding (VGF), but many routes are discontinued once the three-year subsidy period ends, citing low passenger demand.

Several routes, such as Ahmedabad-Diu, Surat-Dwarka and the Sabarmati-Kevadia seaplane service, are either irregular or non-operational at present.

Airports in Keshod, Mundra, and Porbandar have also experienced service disruptions after initial operations, officials said.

Experts attribute the failure to multiple factors, including low passenger volumes, dependence on subsidies, a shortage of aircraft, and inadequate infrastructure at smaller airports, such as a lack of night landing facilities.

Despite these challenges, the government is moving ahead with an expanded version of the scheme, with plans to develop 20 new airports and 25 helipads under the next phase, often referred to as UDAN 5.0.

Routes under Udaan 1.0: 

> Kandla-Mumbai-Kandla

> Porbandar to Mumbai

> Ahmedabad-Jamnagar-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Mundra-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Diu-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar-Ahmedabad

Routes under UDAN 2.0

> Ahmedabad-Hubli-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad

> Surat-Jaisalmer-Surat

> Ahmedabad-Porbandar-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Nashik-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Kandla-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Jalgaon-Ahmedabad

Routes under UDAN 3.0

> Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Kishangadh-Ahmedabad

> Ahmedabad-Belgaum-Ahmedabad