Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Union Budget 2025-26 speech on Saturday, announced the launch of a modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme.
The scheme seeks to expand regional connectivity by adding 120 new destinations and carrying an additional four crore passengers over the next decade.
“The UDAN scheme, which has already transformed the air travel landscape, has connected 88 airports and operationalized 619 routes, benefitting 1.5 crore middle-class passengers,” Sitharaman said.
The finance minister said, “The upcoming expansion will not only increase the number of destinations but will also extend its reach to helipads and smaller airports, particularly in hilly, aspirational, and northeastern regions.”
Sitharaman also announced plans to develop greenfield airports in Bihar.
Sitharaman stated that UDAN has helped 1.5 crore middle-class citizens fulfill their desire for faster travel.
“Inspired by the success of UDAN, we are launching a modified scheme to support 120 new destinations, further strengthening regional connectivity,” she said.
The country’s rapidly growing civil aviation market and increasing air traffic demand were key factors behind this expansion.
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With these announcements, the central government aims to ensure that regional connectivity and infrastructure development continue to play a central role in India’s economic growth, making transportation and services more accessible to all.
