Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu told the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the government plans to add 120 new locations under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme over the next decade, targeting air connectivity for 4 crore additional people. Responding to queries during Question Hour, Naidu hailed UDAN as a globally acclaimed success, crediting its viability gap funding (VGF) model for linking underserved airports and boosting regional travel.

“The UDAN scheme was designed to connect airports where viability was a challenge for airlines,” Naidu explained, noting that it has already benefited 1.5 crore passengers in its first decade. Highlighting Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2025 announcement extending UDAN for another 10 years, he said, “In the next decade, we aim to connect 4 crore more people and bring 120 new destinations into the fold.” These include airports with fewer than seven weekly flights, activated through a transparent bidding process for airlines.

Addressing concerns about discontinued UDAN routes, Naidu clarified that subsidies last only three years to kickstart connectivity, not to sustain it indefinitely. “It’s about sparking growth in those regions,” he said. On airport decongestion, he argued that activating underutilized airports naturally eases pressure on major hubs. “Spreading connectivity reduces congestion,” he added.

Naidu also tackled high airfare complaints, stating that India follows a market-driven pricing model. “We’re working to increase aircraft and airline presence to balance price dynamics,” he assured, citing the DGCA’s tariff monitoring unit, which reviews data and intervenes during exorbitant spikes—like those seen ahead of the Maha Kumbh. With UDAN’s expansion, Naidu envisions a more inclusive aviation network, reinforcing India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.