A guide to the UDAN Scheme
Wondering what the UDAN scheme is, and how you can make the most of discounted air travel? Find out in our guide, which also explains how you can book cheap UDAN flights.
UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)
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What is the UDAN Scheme?
‘UDAN’ is short for ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik’, and refers to an extensive regional connectivity scheme in India. The UDAN scheme is aimed at providing affordable air travel on regional routes, while expanding networks and boosting connectivity. Under the scheme, the government in India is providing concessions and financial motivation for airlines to participate, with capped airfares that will be subsidised by the government.
In the last few years since the scheme was launched in 2017, over 50 unserved/ underserved airports across India are now connected by almost 300 new routes, thanks to the regional air connectivity scheme. And this is just the beginning; the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to develop over 100 more airports by 2024. And this won’t include just airports, but also the introduction of a number of new water aerodromes within India.
Looking for regional flights within India? Take a look at our guide to domestic flights within India for more information, including an airline guide and travel advice.
Key Points
- UDAN is a scheme introduced in India by the Indian Government
- Under the UDAN scheme, airlines compete to win subsidies to operate flights that link small airports (regional) with bigger ones
- The UDAN scheme aims to increase connectivity between communities in India, while making air travel affordable for locals
Airlines included in the UDAN Scheme:
The following is a list of airlines operating flights under the UDAN scheme:
- Alliance Air
- SpiceJet
- Turbo Megha Airways
- Air Deccan
- Air Odisha
- Flybig
Routes included in the UDAN Scheme:
The following is a list of routes included in the UDAN scheme. This is a current list, as of 2020, but more routes are still to be added.
- Bhatinda to Delhi
- Shimla to Delhi
- Agra to Jaipur
- Gwalior to Delhi
- Gwalior to Indore
- Gwalior to Lucknow
- Kadapa to Chennai
- Kadapa to Vijayawada
- Ludhiana to Delhi
- Pathankot to Delhi
- Vidyanagar to Hyderabad
- Vidyanagar to Bangalore
- Burnpur to Kolkata
- Cooch Behar to Kolkata
- Jamshedpur to Kolkata
- Bhavnagar to Ahmedabad
- Bhavnagar to Surat
- Diu to Ahmedabad
- Kanda to Mumbai
- Kanpur (Chakeri) to Delhi
- Kanpur (Chakeri) to Varanasi
- Mundra to Ahmedabad
- Pantnagar to Dehradun
- Pantnagar to Delhi
- Pondicherry to Salem
- Shillong (Barapani) to Dimapur
- Shillong (Barapani) to Imphal
- Shillong (Barapani) to Aizwal
- Porbandar to Mumbai
- Ambikapur to Bilaspur
- Jagdalpur to Raipur
- Jagdalpur to Vizag
- Jaisalmer to Jaipur
- Jharsuguda to Bhubaneshwar
- Jharsuguda to Raipur
- Jharsuguda to Ranchi
- Nayveli to Chennai
- Ozar Nasik to Mumbai
- Ozar Nasik to Pune
- Salem to Chennai
- Salem to Pondicherry
- Sholapur to Mumbai
- Bidar to Bangalore
- Hosur to Chennai
- Shillong (Barapani) to Silchar
- Agra to Delhi
- Bikaner (NAL) to Delhi
- Bilaspur to Ambikapur
- Kadapa to Bangalore
- Kadapa to Hyderabad
- Jalgaon to Mumbai
- Nanded to Mumbai
- Nanded to Hyderabad
- Kolhapur to Mumbai
- Andal (Durgapur) to Bagdogra
- Andal (Durgapur) to Kolkata
- Raigarh to Raipur
- Rourkela to Kolkata
- Rourkela to Bhubaneshwar
- Utkela to Bhubaneshwar
- Jamnagar to Ahmedabad
- Adampur to Delhi
- Shillong (Barapani) to Agartala
- Kullu (Bhuntar) to Delhi
- Mithapur (Dwarka) to Ahmedabad
- Bilaspur to Raipur
- Pantnagar to Hyderabad
- Pondicherry to Chennai
- Jeypore to Bhubaneshwar
- Utkela to Raipur
- Salem to Bangalore
- Mysore (Mandacally) to Chennai
The introduction of seaplanes and water aerodromes in India
As part of the UDAN scheme, India has recently announced that it will be developing new water aerodromes. A water aerodrome (also known as a waterdrome) is a stretch of open water (a lake, or even the sea, for example) that can be used by seaplanes to land and take off. The water aerodromes have an aim to boost tourism, as well as fostering greater short-haul local connectivity. India has an extensive coastline of approximately 7500 kms, as well as having large lakes and water bodies - ideal for water aerodromes. With a much lower cost and less time required to develop, water aerodromes and an ideal solution for increasing connectivity.
On October 26, 2020, the first seaplane service (operated by SpiceJet) commenced in India, connecting Sabarmati Riverfront and Statue of Unity arrived in Kevadia, Gujarat.
Top Tip: Wondering how seaplanes are able to take-off on water? Check out our guide to seaplanes for more information.
The following is a list of sites where water aerodromes are currently being developed:
- Statue of Unity (Sardar Sarovar Dam), Gujarat
- Shatrunjay Dam, Gujarat
- Sabarmati Riverfront, Gujarat
- Umrangso Reservoir, Assam
- Brahmaputra Riverfront, Assam
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Telangana
- Prakasam Barrage, Andhra Pradesh
- Long Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island)
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island)
How to book cheap UDAN flights?
Using the search bar at the top of the page, type in your destination city - one of the airports included inthe UDAN scheme.
- Using the search bar at the top of the page, enter your travel dates and departure/arrival airports.
- Search for available flights on that route, based on the dates you have entered.
- Choose the best flights for you; we hunt for the cheapest flights on all of the airlines that operate the route.
- Follow the simple instructions to book your flight. You can also book your meals, if available, and add extra baggage.
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UDAN Scheme FAQs
What is the UDAN Scheme?
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development scheme which was introduced in India by the Government. The scheme has the objective of 'letting the common citizen of the country fly', and uses financial motivation for airlines to encourage them to expand their networks to increase connectivity. Passengers can enjoy subsidised prices, aimed at making air travel affordable and widespread.
Looking for more information? Check out the official UDAN scheme documentation from India's Ministry of Civil Aviation.
When was the UDAN Scheme introduced?
The UDAN scheme was introduced in 2017 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India, under the Narendra Modi government.
Where can I book UDAN flights?
You can book flights that are operated by airlines across India thanks to the introduction of the UDAN scheme with Alternative Airlines. Whether booking flights with SpiceJet, IndiGo Airlines, Star Air, Zoom Air, or any other domestic airline in India, as well as airlines that operate the UDAN network, Alternative Airlines is the site for you. You can even pay in Indian Rupee (INR), or any other currency of your choice.