A new scheme called UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) was launched in Shimla today to encourage air travel in the country. The project focusses on tier 2 and smaller cities, planning to make by air a more prevalent commute option in town-y India. It is to be noted that air fares will be capped at INR 2500 at every 500 km for poorly connected Indian cities. The scheme called “Regional Connectivity Scheme” or more popularly UDAN shall have service and fuel taxes scrapped as an incentive for airlines.
Earlier aviation was considered to be the domain of a select few. That has changed now: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2017
“I want to see people who wear hawai chappal (flip flops) in a hawai jahaz (airplane),” the PM said in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh today.
The lives of the middle class are being transformed and their aspirations are increasing. Given the right chance they can do wonders: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2017
Gone are the days when aviation catered to a select few. Govt’s Civil Aviation Policy gives wings to the aspirations of a new India. pic.twitter.com/pVMQffUsvb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 27, 2017
A new Delhi – Shimla flight was launched today under the scheme which shall be operated by Alliance Air, a subsidiary of national carrier Air India. Two new flights Kadapa-Hyderabad and Nanded-Hyderabad shall be launched soon as well. The flight shall cost a minimal 2036 rupees, which is only a bit costlier than the other options train or bus (the tickets range from INR 1000-1500), but shall save on a lot of time.
Inaugural UDAN flights on Kadapa–Hyderabad and Nanded-Hyderabad sectors will also be flagged off. pic.twitter.com/dHBPL1r3UQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 27, 2017
India is estimated to be having around 70 million domestic tickets sold annually, which makes it one of the fastest growing aviation markets. In a sector full of such potential, better regional air connectivity shall help boost the up and coming businesses and industries, and see ticket sales jump as well. The seating capacity of airlines under the scheme will range from 19 to 78, and half the seats in every flight will have a fare cap of Rs 2,500 per seat per hour.
Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities are becoming growth engines. If aviation connectivity is enhanced in these places, it will be beneficial: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 27, 2017
The government’s step shall surely fulfill many middle – low income class families’ ultimate dream to set foot in the luxury of a plane. However the implementation of the scheme remains to be seen as soon airlines shall begin bidding against each other to retain the exclusive rights to these virginal routes in the towns and skies of India.
