UDAN 5.1 Scheme

About UDAN 5.1 Scheme:

• After 4 successful rounds of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched UDAN 5.1 to further enhance the connectivity to remote areas of the country and achieve last mile connectivity through helicopters.
• The main features include:
  • An increase in the scope of operations for operators wherein the scheme will now allow routes where one of the origin or destination locations is in a priority area. Earlier both points had to be in priority areas.
  • Airfare caps have been reduced by as much as 25% to make flying in helicopters more affordable for passengers. 
  • Viability Gap Funding (VGF) caps for the operators have been increased substantially for both single and twin-engine helicopters to enhance financial viability for operating the awarded routes.
• Previous rounds of the scheme have already operationalised 46 helicopter routes, benefiting hilly and North-East states. The current round aims to cover an even larger number of routes, expanding the reach of air connectivity.

About UDAN Scheme:

• UDAN- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market.
• The scheme was initiated in October 2016 with the objective of fulfilling the aspirations of the common citizen, with an enhanced aviation infrastructure and air connectivity in tier II and tier III cities.
• The scheme UDAN envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Q1) What is the potential of aviation in India?

India’s aviation sector has been among the fastest growing in the world, with Airports Council International’s long-term forecast indicating that by 2041 India is expected to grow by 339 percent over 2022, reaching 1.1 billion passengers flown.

Source: MoCA launches UDAN 5.1 to boost connectivity in remote areas through helicopter

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