The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme aims to improve regional air connectivity by reviving unserved and underserved airports. In Maharashtra, nine airports have been identified for revival and operation under this scheme. The total budget sanctioned for the development of these airports is ₹561.20 crores. As of March 6th, 2024, six airports (Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded, Nashik, Gondia, and Sindhudurg) are operational, and three (Solapur, Amravati, and Ratnagiri) are are being developed.
| Airport | Budget Allocated (₹ Crore) | Status |
| Kolhapur | 305.93 | Operational |
| Jalgaon | 100 | Operational |
| Solapur | 50 | Project under development |
| Amravati | 40 | Project under development |
| Nanded | 25.27 | Operational |
| Nashik | 20 | Operational |
| Ratnagiri | 10 | Project under development |
| Gondia | 5 | Operational |
| Sindhudurg | 5 | Operational |
Developing these airports has the potential to bring several economic benefits to the local districts. Let's explore the potential economic benefits and fare details.
Potential Economic Benefits
| Increased Tourism | Improved air connectivity attracts more tourists, infusing additional cash into the local economy. |
| Enhanced Business Opportunities | Easier air travel facilitates business travel, which creates opportunities for trade, and investment. |
| Job Market | Airports create new job opportunities in transportation, logistics, hospitality, and retail sectors. |
| Connectivity | District headquarters get faster connections to the major cities, reducing travel time. |
Fares
The aim of UDAN is to make air travel affordable for the common people. Therefore, the fare structure for flights under UDAN is regulated by the government. Specific fares are decided on the following grounds:
| Route | The distance between the origin and destination airports. |
| Airline | Different airlines offer different fares based on operating costs and seat availability. |
| Demand | Fares fluctuate based on demand, with higher fares during peak seasons or holidays. |
As the development of these airports is still ongoing, the full extent of the economic impact will become clearer only in the coming years.. You can find more information about the UDAN scheme and its progress on the official website of the Ministry of Civil Aviation: https://pib.gov.in/
