UDAN
UDAN — Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (Regional Connectivity Scheme)
UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik — Let the common man fly) was launched on 21 October 2016 to make air travel affordable for ordinary citizens in small towns. Airlines receive Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from Centre and State governments to compensate for operating thin routes. In return, airlines offer a minimum number of seats at capped fares (₹2,500 for 1-hour routes). Five rounds of UDAN have been completed: UDAN 1.0–4.2 and UDAN 5.0 (2023). New focus areas: hilly states (HP, J&K, Uttarakhand), North-East connectivity, island connectivity (A&N, Lakshadweep), and Aspirational District airports.
Key Objectives
- Connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with affordable air connectivity.
- Operationalise unserved and underserved airports across India.
- Make air travel affordable for common citizens at ₹2,500/hour of flight.
- Boost regional economic development through improved connectivity.
Benefits
Eligibility
- All citizens — UDAN routes are open to any traveller
- Subsidised seats available first-come, first-served on UDAN routes
How to Apply
Visit any airline website (IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet) or MakeMyTrip/Yatra/Ixigo
Search UDAN route (e.g., Shimla–Delhi, Lilabari–Kolkata)
Subsidised UDAN seats appear as the lowest-priced option — book early
Normal commercial pricing applies once UDAN seats are exhausted
Required Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book a UDAN flight at ₹2,500?
Search UDAN routes on any flight booking platform (MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Ixigo, airline websites). UDAN subsidised seats are the cheapest fares shown. They are limited — book early. Once subsidised UDAN seats are exhausted, remaining seats are sold at market prices.
Which cities are connected under UDAN?
74+ airports operationalised under UDAN including: Shimla, Kullu, Kangra, Jammu, Srinagar, Agra, Leh, Dibrugarh, Lilabari, Rupsi, Aizawl, Imphal, Dimapur, Shillong, Jharsuguda, Hubli, Belgaum, Tirupati, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and many more. Check aai.aero for the full UDAN routes list.