સામાન્ય લોકો માટે ‘ઉડાન’ થયું સફળ, આઠ વર્ષમાં હવાઈ મુસાફરી થઈ બમણી

Wed Oct 23 06:39:49 UTC 2024: **Summary of the News Article on the UDAN Scheme:**

1. **Completion of Eight Years**: The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme has completed eight years, significantly transforming India’s aviation sector.

2. **Passenger Growth**: Over the past decade, the number of domestic air passengers in India has doubled.

3. **Increase in Airports**: The number of airports in India has risen from 74 in 2014 to 157 currently. The government aims to increase this number to around 400 by 2047.

4. **Objective of UDAN**: The scheme aims to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel economically viable for residents of smaller cities, providing access to areas lacking flight services.

5. **Impact on Air Travel**: UDAN has completely changed air travel, enabling citizens in tier-2 and tier-3 cities to fly more easily.

6. **Promotion of Regional Airlines**: The scheme has encouraged the growth of regional airlines and contributed to the development of a sustainable business model in air travel.

7. **First Flight Launch**: The first UDAN flight operated between Shimla and Delhi on April 27, 2017.

8. **Future Orders for Aircraft**: Indian airlines plan to order over 1,000 new aircraft in the next 10-15 years, expanding their current fleet of about 800 aircraft.

9. **Market-Driven Model**: The UDAN scheme operates on a market-driven model where airlines evaluate route demand and submit proposals during bidding rounds.

10. **Government Incentives**: To attract airlines, the government has implemented various measures, including waiving royalty fees and providing lease discounts, as well as exempting landing and parking charges for regional connectivity flights.

This summary highlights the key developments and impacts of the UDAN scheme on the aviation industry in India.