All you need to know about UDAN – 2 Scheme

UDAN Expansion: Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik Scheme

Launched By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Civil Aviation Minister: Ashok Gajapathi Raju

Civil Aviation Secretary: R.N.Choubey

Airport Authority of India Chairman: Guruprasad Mohapatra

UDAN Scheme:

Seeks to connect un-served and under-served airport under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) as well as make flying more affordable for the masses. The Scheme which will run for 10 years, will work to revive existing airstrips and airports.

The first phase will include 45 airports and about 70-odd routes. The First flight is between Shimla and New Delhi at a subsidised fare of Rs.2036. Due to the short runway length, height and temperature restrictions, the aircraft will not be able to fly the total capacity of 48 passengers.

Five airlines — Alliance Air, SpiceJet, Turbo Megha, Air Odisha and Air Deccan — were awarded 128 routes under the scheme after a bidding process.

Key Points-UDAN-2:

The government has eased several norms for its flagship regional flying scheme UDAN to attract more airlines and helicopter operators to participate in the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The Second round of bidding are likely to be announced by November 30.

The relaxations include dilution of exclusivity clause which mandated that only one airline flies on one route in the first three years. Now, selected airline operator of a particular route may issue no-objection certificate to other airlines who want to operate on the selected RCS route.

The ministry has also diluted norms that restricted two airports in close proximity with each other to participate in the bidding.  The modified norms allow routes with a stage length less than 150 km for operations through fixed wing aircraft.

Under UDAN, at least half of the seats on every flight are available under a fare cap of Rs 2,500 per seat per hour of flying.

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