The Big Dream of UDAN
Launched in 2016, the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme was a game-changer. The goal was to make air travel accessible to the masses and boost regional connectivity. The government offered subsidies, known as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), to airlines
for operating on routes connecting smaller, underserved towns. In return, fares were capped to keep them affordable. The vision was clear: a young professional from a Tier-2 city could fly to a metro for a job interview, a student could access universities in another state, and tourism could flourish in remote areas, all without breaking the bank. It promised to be an engine for economic growth, social mobility, and national integration.
A Reality Check on the Tarmac
Despite its grand ambitions, the UDAN scheme has hit significant turbulence. According to recent government data, nearly half of the routes launched since the scheme's inception are no longer operational. Out of 669 routes made operational, commercial flights continue on only 336. Data presented in Parliament showed that as of early 2026, 327 out of 663 operationalised routes were later discontinued. This high rate of failure isn't just a statistic; it represents grounded planes and disconnected towns, from Kalaburagi in Karnataka to Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. Many airports developed under the scheme are also non-operational.
Why Aren't Planes Flying?
There isn't one single reason for the grounded flights, but a combination of economic and logistical challenges. A primary issue is low passenger demand. On many routes, there simply aren't enough travellers to make flights commercially viable once the initial three-year subsidy period ends. Airlines, especially smaller regional carriers, struggle with high operating costs like fuel and maintenance. Without the subsidy, they face mounting losses. Many smaller airlines that started UDAN routes have either shut down or scaled back operations. Furthermore, infrastructure and readiness at some regional airports remain a major hurdle, with issues like short runways, poor visibility conditions, and regulatory delays preventing consistent service.
The Impact on Young India's Aspirations
For young Indians, the discontinuation of these routes is more than an inconvenience; it's a barrier to opportunity. The promise of UDAN was the promise of mobility. An IT professional from Kalaburagi who had moved to Bengaluru for work suddenly found their affordable weekend trip home gone when the service stopped, severing a crucial link to their family and culture. For students in smaller towns, it curtails access to educational institutions in other parts of the country. For aspiring entrepreneurs, it dampens the potential for local tourism and business growth that reliable connectivity would have fostered. It highlights a frustrating gap between a powerful national vision and the complex reality of its execution.
Is the Dream Over, or Just Refuelling?
The government has not given up on the dream. Recognizing the scheme's shortcomings, it has launched a revamped version called 'Viksit UDAN'. This new phase comes with a significantly larger budget of nearly ₹29,000 crore over the next decade. Key changes include extending the subsidy period for airlines from three years to five to help them achieve viability and a greater focus on developing airport infrastructure, including 100 new aerodromes and 200 modern helipads. The aim is to address the core issues of financial sustainability and infrastructure gaps that plagued the original scheme. The goal remains to connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and remote regions, hoping this time to build a more sustainable network.
