The Grand Plan: 'Let the Common Citizen Fly'
At the heart of India's aviation expansion is the UDAN scheme, which stands for Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik or 'Let the Common Citizen of the Country Fly'. Launched in 2016, its goal was twofold: to connect unserved and underserved airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3
cities and to make air travel affordable for the masses. Before the scheme, India had 74 operational airports; by mid-2026, that number had surged to over 165. The policy works by offering financial incentives and subsidies to airlines, encouraging them to operate on routes that might otherwise be unprofitable. This support, known as Viability Gap Funding (VGF), helps cap fares on a portion of seats, making flights more accessible.
A Decade of Progress in Numbers
The scale of the airport push is significant. As of early 2026, the UDAN scheme has successfully operationalised hundreds of new routes, connecting nearly 100 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes across the country. This has resulted in over 1.68 crore passengers taking more than 3.58 lakh flights on routes that previously had poor or no air connectivity. Building on this, the government recently announced plans to develop 100 new airports over the next decade with an investment of around ₹30,000 crore. This new phase, called 'Modified UDAN', will run from 2026 to 2036 and aims to solidify India’s position as the world's third-largest domestic aviation market by bringing even more remote locations onto the network.
Turbulence on the Tarmac
Despite the impressive expansion, the journey hasn't been entirely smooth. A major challenge is the financial sustainability of the new routes. Airlines often struggle with profitability due to low passenger numbers and high operating costs, even with subsidies. As a result, a significant percentage of routes awarded under UDAN have ceased operations after a short period. A 2023 audit revealed that many of the newly developed airports were under-utilised. For passengers, this can lead to unreliable services, with airlines cancelling flights or pulling out from routes altogether, making them hesitant to book. The economics are tricky; if a route doesn't attract enough travellers to become self-sustaining after the initial three-year subsidy period, it often gets discontinued.
So, More Airports AND More Flights?
This brings us to the core question: does building an airport guarantee more flight options? The answer is complex. The infrastructure is a critical first step, but consistent and affordable flights depend heavily on airline economics. Demand is growing, with a clear need for connectivity coming from smaller cities, remote regions, and island territories. The government is trying to address this by not only funding airport construction but also providing long-term operational support to keep services running. The 'Modified UDAN' scheme allocates over ₹10,000 crore specifically for Viability Gap Funding over ten years to keep airlines flying on these crucial regional routes. The introduction of a hub-and-spoke model, recently launched in cities like Ahmedabad, Amritsar, and Varanasi, also aims to better connect regional passengers to major international gateways.
The Future of Regional Aviation
The next decade will be crucial. The government's vision extends to developing 200 modern helipads for last-mile connectivity in hilly and remote areas and even acquiring smaller, specialised aircraft suited for difficult terrain. The success of this massive infrastructure push will ultimately be measured not by the number of new airstrips, but by the number of consistently operational and affordable flights they support. For regional travellers, the expansion has undeniably opened up new possibilities. The challenge ahead is to ensure these new gateways don't just exist on a map but become reliable, bustling hubs that truly connect every corner of the nation.
