UDAN Scheme Gets New Avatar: Every District to Have Airport/Heliport

• The government will soon launch a new version of the UDAN scheme, focusing on connecting every aspirational district to the aviation map.
• Each aspirational district will have at least one airport or heliport, with special emphasis on hilly states and the North-East.
• The new scheme aims to create 120 new destinations over the next 10 years, with simpler conditions and route re-bidding processes.
• Viability Gap Funding will continue, and relaxation in subsidy deadlines is possible to facilitate air connectivity in remote areas.
• Since its launch in 2016, UDAN has operationalized 649 routes, connecting 92 unserved/underserved airports and serving over 1.56 crore passengers.

Why It Matters: The UDAN scheme is being revamped to ensure every district has air connectivity, expanding reach and simplifying operations.