Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Monday that the government will extend the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN for an additional 10 years. This announcement was made during a function in the national capital, celebrating eight years of the scheme's implementation.

Naidu highlighted that UDAN has fostered the development of regional airlines, created jobs, and contributed significantly to tourism. Currently, 601 routes and 71 airports are operational under the scheme, which was first introduced on October 21, 2016, with the goal of making flying more affordable and enhancing regional air connectivity.

The minister confirmed that the scheme will continue for another decade. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam mentioned that the ministry is focusing on improving the financial viability of the program and streamlining its procedures.

According to the ministry, a total of 86 aerodromes—including 71 airports, 13 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes—have been operationalized, enabling over 14.4 million passengers to travel across more than 280,000 flights.

Furthermore, the number of operational airports in India has increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, with plans to expand this count to 350-400 by 2047.