Understanding the Turbulence
The Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme aimed to connect India's unserved and underserved airports, making it possible to fly between smaller towns at subsidised fares. Since 2016, it has connected dozens of new destinations and served over 16 million
passengers. However, the reality on the ground has been challenging. As of early 2026, reports indicate that out of more than 660 routes made operational, a significant number have ceased services. This leaves passengers who had come to rely on these flights suddenly without a convenient travel option. The reasons are complex, ranging from low passenger demand and financial distress of smaller airlines to the expiry of the initial three-year government subsidy that made the routes viable. For travellers, the result is the same: confusion and disruption. This checklist is designed to help you navigate the situation if your planned flight is on a discontinued UDAN route.
1. Verify Your Route’s Official Status
Before panicking, confirm if your route is permanently discontinued or temporarily suspended. Airlines sometimes halt services due to operational issues like aircraft maintenance or crew shortages. Check the airline’s official website for announcements or press releases. Cross-reference this with flight booking portals to see if tickets are available for future dates. While the government states routes are not officially 'cancelled' but rather re-bid if an airline pulls out, for a passenger, the immediate outcome is a non-operational flight. If your travel is weeks or months away, the route might be picked up by another carrier in a subsequent bidding round, but this is not guaranteed.
2. Explore Alternative Airlines
If one airline has stopped flying a route, another may still be operating it outside the UDAN scheme. Your original subsidised fare may no longer be available, but a direct flight might still exist. Use major travel aggregators to search for flights between your origin and destination. Be prepared for higher prices, as these flights operate on commercial viability without government subsidies. Major carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet, along with regional players such as Alliance Air and FlyBig, have participated in the UDAN scheme, but their network decisions can change. A route that was once part of UDAN might now be a standard commercial route.
3. Pivot to Rail and Road Networks
For many regional journeys in India, trains and buses remain the most reliable backbone of transport. The Indian Railways network is extensive and often presents a cost-effective, albeit slower, alternative. Check the IRCTC website for train availability, looking for express or superfast trains to minimise travel time. Similarly, state-run and private luxury bus services have improved significantly, offering comfortable overnight journeys that can be a practical substitute for a short flight. Online bus booking platforms can help you compare options, schedules, and amenities like sleeper berths and air-conditioning.
4. Calculate Total Journey Time and Cost
A direct flight might seem fastest, but a discontinued route forces a re-evaluation. Consider a 'hub-and-spoke' journey: flying from your nearest small airport to a major metro and then taking a second flight, train, or bus. When doing this, calculate the total cost, including transfers between airports or stations, and the overall time, including layovers. Sometimes, a direct train journey, even if it takes longer, can be less stressful and cheaper than a multi-leg trip involving different modes of transport. This is particularly true once you factor in the cost of last-mile connectivity from the airport to the city centre, a challenge noted by many UDAN passengers.
5. Consult Local Travel Agents
In the age of online booking, local travel agents are an often-underestimated resource. This is especially true in smaller towns. These agents possess deep, on-the-ground knowledge of the most efficient and reliable travel combinations. They often know about new bus services, the most convenient train connections, or even shared taxi services that aren't listed on major websites. For a small fee, their expertise can save you hours of research and potential travel headaches, piecing together a viable itinerary after a flight cancellation.
