The Engine Behind the Expansion
The primary force driving this transformation is the government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which translates to 'Let the Common Citizen Fly'. Launched in 2016, its goal is to make air travel affordable and accessible by developing airports
in underserved areas and incentivizing airlines to operate on these routes. The government has backed this vision with significant investment, recently approving a 'Modified UDAN' scheme set to run from 2026 to 2036. This new phase includes a plan to develop 100 new airports over the next decade with an investment of around ₹30,000 crore. The number of operational airports in India has already more than doubled, from 74 in 2014 to 166 in 2026, setting the stage for this next ambitious leap.
New Runways, New Possibilities
This boom is not just a plan on paper; new airports are already changing local landscapes. Airports in cities like Shivamogga, Kurnool, and Kushinagar are now operational, connecting previously distant regions. The focus is on bringing Tier-2, Tier-3, Himalayan, and island regions into the national aviation network. For instance, some plans involve reviving old airstrips from the pre-independence or World War II era, like those in Warangal and Dhalbhumgarh, and upgrading them for modern commercial use under the UDAN scheme. This expansion means that for many, the nearest airport will no longer be an overnight train journey away, fundamentally changing the accessibility of their hometowns.
The Economic Ripple Effect
When an airport arrives in a smaller city, it brings more than just planes. It acts as an economic anchor, stimulating growth in numerous sectors. Improved connectivity boosts tourism by making it easier for domestic and international travellers to explore hidden gems and religious sites. This, in turn, fuels the local hospitality industry. Businesses benefit from enhanced mobility and faster logistics, as high-value cargo can be transported more efficiently. The development also creates direct and indirect employment, from airline staff and ground services to roles in new hotels, restaurants, and IT firms that are attracted to these newly connected hubs. In some areas, the announcement of a new airport has led to a sharp increase in real estate and land values even before the first flight has taken off.
Beyond Business and Tourism
The impact of regional airports extends deep into the social fabric of a community. For families spread across the country, it means quicker, more frequent visits. Students from smaller towns can more easily access educational institutions in major cities. Critically, it can improve access to specialised healthcare, turning a multi-day journey for treatment into a few hours of travel. This enhanced mobility fosters a greater sense of national integration, bringing people and markets closer together and connecting remote populations with the mainstream economy. The ultimate goal is to foster balanced regional development, ensuring that the fruits of economic growth are not limited to the country's biggest urban centres.
Navigating the Challenges Ahead
Despite the optimism, the path to robust regional connectivity is not without turbulence. A significant challenge is ensuring the long-term commercial viability of these new routes. Many regional airports have struggled with low passenger numbers, making it difficult for airlines to sustain operations without government subsidies, known as Viability Gap Funding (VGF). According to a CAG report, a large percentage of routes awarded under the initial phases of UDAN could not commence operations, and many that did were not sustained after the concession period ended. Other hurdles include inadequate ground infrastructure, a lack of night navigation facilities, and poor last-mile connectivity to the airport from city centres, which can deter potential passengers. For the expansion to be truly successful, it requires not just building runways, but creating a sustainable ecosystem around them.
