India's regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), launched on 21 October 2016, completes 10 years on 21 October 2026, having flown more than 1.49 crore passengers — yaani about 14.9 million people — according to a factsheet released by the Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday (20 October).

A total of 625 UDAN routes have been operationalised, connecting 90 airports — including 2 water aerodromes and 15 heliports — across the country, with Rs 4,023.37 crore (yaani over Rs 40 billion) disbursed as Viability Gap Funding to keep fares affordable on thin routes.

India's airport network more than doubled over the scheme's decade, rising from 74 airports in 2014 to 159 in 2024, the Ministry said.

The revamped next phase of UDAN aims to add 120 new destinations and carry 4 crore additional passengers (yaani 40 million more people) over the next decade, with special focus on remote, hilly and aspirational districts and the North East, plus support for helipads and smaller airports.

The government has also committed to developing 50 new airports in the next five years, including new greenfield airports in Bihar, expansion of Patna Airport and a brownfield airport at Bihta. The Ministry said UDAN strengthened regional tourism, healthcare access and trade, and catalysed economic growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Sources: Civil Aviation Ministry factsheet (20 October 2026), reported by Nation Press and BizzBuzz.