Union Government Extends UDAN Scheme

On 9th September, 2024, Civil Aviation Minister announced that the Indian government will extend the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme for an additional 10 years beyond its original end date of 2027.

Key Points

Future Airport Expansion: Minister projected that India will operate between 350 and 400 airports over the next 20 to 25 years, capitalizing on the Asia-Pacific region’s growth as the largest aviation market by 2035, with 3.5 billion passengers annually.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Goals: The government aims to blend 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with jet fuel for international flights by 2027, increasing to 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030, to promote sustainable aviation practices and reduce carbon emissions.
Current Achievements: The UDAN scheme, initiated in 2016, has operationalized over 583 routes and connected 86 airports, benefiting more than 1.4 crore passengers and supporting over 2.80 lakh flights with viability gap funding exceeding 3,700 crores.
Carbon Neutral Airports: Delhi and Mumbai international airports have achieved carbon neutrality, showcasing the progress in sustainable aviation practices.