The Centre’s regional connectivity scheme ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’ (UDAN) has struggled to sustain operations in Gujarat, with a majority of the 71 routes launched in the state now defunct, even as the government moves ahead with plans to expand the programme, according to official data.
Launched in 2016 to make air travel affordable and improve connectivity to smaller cities, the scheme capped fares for short-haul flights at around Rs2,500. However, its rollout has faced hurdles, particularly after the withdrawal of subsidies.
Parliamentary data shows that of the 663 routes launched nationwide, 327 — nearly half — have been discontinued. In Gujarat, most UDAN routes are no longer operational, officials said.
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted that only 7–10% of routes have remained viable without government support. Airlines under the scheme receive viability gap funding (VGF), but many services are discontinued once the three-year subsidy period ends, often due to low passenger demand.
Several routes, including Ahmedabad–Diu, Surat–Dwarka and the Sabarmati–Kevadia seaplane service, are currently irregular or non-operational. Airports in Keshod, Mundra and Porbandar have also witnessed disruptions after initial operations.
Experts attribute the poor performance to multiple factors such as low passenger traffic, dependence on subsidies, shortage of aircraft and inadequate infrastructure at smaller airports, including the absence of night landing facilities.
Despite these challenges, the government is proceeding with an expanded phase of the scheme, with plans to develop 20 new airports and 25 helipads under what is being referred to as UDAN 5.0.
Routes under Udaan 1.0:
> Kandla-Mumbai-Kandla
> Porbandar to Mumbai
> Ahmedabad-Jamnagar-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Mundra-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Diu-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar-Ahmedabad
Routes under UDAN 2.0
> Ahmedabad-Hubli-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Jaisalmer-Ahmedabad
> Surat-Jaisalmer-Surat
> Ahmedabad-Porbandar-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Nashik-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Kandla-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Jalgaon-Ahmedabad
Routes under UDAN 3.0
> Ahmedabad-Udaipur-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Kishangadh-Ahmedabad
> Ahmedabad-Belgaum-Ahmedabad