Number of RCS-UDAN routes operationalized 2024, by stage

Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) scheme, a total of 529 routes were operationalized in India. With 163 routes, the third stage of the scheme had the most operational routes. These routes comprised airplane as well as helicopters.

Regional connectivity scheme

With an aim to promote regional air connectivity and make air travel affordable to the common people, the government launched Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), commonly known as UDAN scheme, in October 2016. Several unserved or underserved airports were identified across the country and were operationalized. This scheme was implemented in a staged manner and it covered airplane services as well as helicopter and sea-plane services.

Change in the Indian skies

During the last decade, Indian aviation has seen a steep growth in both passenger and freight traffic. In fiscal year 2023, the passenger traffic was climbing back to pre-pandemic level. In the same time period, the freight traffic grew by around 1.5 times. The coronavirus pandemic had significant negative impact on the civil aviation market in financial year 2021 and 2022.