What is the Grand Plan?
The plan to build 100 new airports is part of the government's broader vision to make air travel accessible to the common citizen. This initiative is anchored by the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), better known as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik). Launched
in 2016, UDAN aims to connect unserved and underserved airports across the country. In March 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a modified, extended version of the scheme, committing approximately ₹30,000 crore over ten years, from fiscal year 2026-27 to 2035-36, to develop these 100 new airports and enhance regional connectivity. The goal is to bring Tier-2, Tier-3 cities, and remote areas—including the Himalayan region and islands—onto the national aviation map.
How Much Progress Has Been Made?
Since 2014, India's airport network has already seen significant expansion, growing from 74 to 166 airports as of September 2026. The UDAN scheme itself has had notable achievements, operationalising hundreds of routes and connecting dozens of new locations, including airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. However, the pace of adding new airports has slowed in recent years. While the initial phases saw the revival of several regional airports, a 2023 audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pointed out that many awarded routes never started, and a large number of those that did were discontinued after the initial three-year subsidy period ended. This highlights a core challenge: building infrastructure is one thing, but sustaining operations is another.
The Question of Financial Viability
The most pressing question is whether these new airports and routes can become self-sustaining. The UDAN model relies on Viability Gap Funding (VGF), a government subsidy provided to airlines for a limited period to operate on low-demand routes. The challenge arises when this financial support ends. Many routes have struggled with low passenger numbers, making them commercially unviable for airlines, leading to service withdrawal. Recognizing this, the Modified UDAN scheme has extended the VGF support period and allocated funds for operational and maintenance support for struggling airports, hoping to give them a longer runway to achieve profitability.
Will Passengers Show Up?
The success of these regional airports hinges on consistent passenger demand. While officials state that demand for air travel is growing in smaller towns, the reality on the ground has been mixed. In some cases, newly launched airports have seen flights suspended due to low footfall. For many people in regional India, air travel still competes with more affordable options like the railways. The long-term success of UDAN will depend not just on capped airfares but also on generating local economic activity, boosting tourism, and creating a genuine need for faster travel that only aviation can provide. The challenge is to convert the massive market for ground transport between smaller cities into air traffic.
The Economic and Environmental Equation
Beyond the balance sheets, there are broader questions of economic and environmental impact. Proponents argue that airports act as economic multipliers, boosting tourism, creating jobs, and integrating remote regions into the national economy. However, building airports, especially in ecologically sensitive areas, comes with significant environmental costs. These include issues related to land use, air and noise pollution, water management, and the impact on local biodiversity. As India pushes forward with its aviation ambitions, balancing the developmental benefits with environmental sustainability will be a critical and ongoing challenge for policymakers.
