A total of 519 routes have been operationalised under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UdeDeshkaAamNagrik (UDAN) since its launch.

At present, 76 airports including 2 water aerodromes and 9 heliports have been operationalised under the UDAN scheme. 4 airports are ready for operation of RCS flights. Development works of the 09 airports/heliports have been completed and licensing is in progress. The development works of 17 airports/Heliports are in progress under the UDAN scheme. The development work of the remaining airports, is in the planning stage.

Presently 18 Airports, including 2 Water Aerodromes, are temporarily non-operational due to various reasons such as shut down of some airlines like Jet airways, Zoom air, TruJet, Deccan air, Air Odisha, due to higher maintenance costs, lower availability of trained pilots, lack of MRO facilities in the country, owing to completion of 3 years VGF tenure, shortage of aircraft, shortage of spare parts & engines & low PLF etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

***

YB/PS