Five years of UDAN Scheme

• Regional Connectivity Scheme of Ministry of Civil Aviation, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has successfully completed 5 years. 

• This scheme was initiated in 2016. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched first flight under UDAN on April 27, 2017. 

• The scheme aims to connect small and medium cities with big cities through air service. 

• In the five years, scheme has benefited more than 1 crore passengers till August 4, 2022.

• In 2014, there were just 74 operational airports in India. 

• The number has now increased to 141 by now.

• 68 underserved or unserved destinations, including 58 Airports, 8 Heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been connected under UDAN Scheme, as of now.

• This scheme has provided air connectivity to over 29 States/UTs by initiating 425 new routes.

• In next four years, government is expecting to add more of 40 crore travellers in India.