Aviation Sector and UDAN Scheme: India’s Aviation Vision 2047
Aviation Sector and UDAN Scheme: India’s Aviation Vision 2047 UDAN and Regional Connectivity UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) launched in 2016 to democratize air travel. Operationalized 649 routes connecting 93 aerodromes (including 2 water aerodromes & 15 heliports). Over 1.56 crore passengers and 3.23 lakh flights since inception. Integrated remote regions: North-East, Andaman, Nicobar, Lakshadweep. Affordable travel via UDAN Yatri Café (tea ₹10, samosa ₹20). Targets 120 new destinations over next 10 years; expected 4 crore passengers. Airport Expansion & Infrastructure Airports: 74 in 2014 → 163 in 2025; vision 350–400 by 2047. Greenfield Airports Policy encourages public–private partnerships. Digi Yatra (from 2022) enables paperless, contactless travel; 52.2 million passengers served. Employment & Economic Impact Aviation supports over 7.7 million jobs indirectly; 369,000 directly. By 2040, total employment projected: 25 million. For every ₹1 spent in aviation, >₹...