“Gujarat Takes Flight: UDAN Scheme Boosts Regional Connectivity and Tourism”

Gandhinagar (Gujarat), December 7: Over the past eight years, Gujarat has made significant progress under the UDAN scheme, launching operations at six regional airports across the state. These airports include Porbandar, Kandla, Keshod, Jamnagar Civil Enclave, Bhavnagar, and Mundra. The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, which was introduced by the central government in 2016, aims to make air travel more affordable for the common citizen while enhancing connectivity between various cities.

The Gujarat government, led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has prioritized the successful implementation of this scheme, resulting in improved accessibility and a boost to both tourism and trade in the state. Gujarat’s regional airports have seen impressive growth, with air travel reaching around 7.93 lakh passengers. Key routes include Mumbai-Kandla, Ahmedabad-Mundra, Ahmedabad-Diu, and Surat-Diu, with newer routes like Ahmedabad-Keshod, Ahmedabad-Jalgaon, and Ahmedabad-Nanded now connecting additional destinations, further strengthening the state’s air connectivity.

Dhaval Patel, the Commissioner of Civil Aviation for the Government of Gujarat, emphasized the state’s ongoing efforts to meet the increasing demands of the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and flying training sectors. The government is also focused on providing essential facilities and incentives to enhance the operations of regional airports.

Since 2017, the Gujarat government has allocated approximately Rs184 crore to support the UDAN scheme, covering 20 percent of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and essential fire and security services for these airports. The VGF initiative plays a crucial role in incentivizing smaller airlines to operate on regional routes by offering financial support. Currently, the Gujarat government is providing VGF for flights on five routes, including Surat-Ahmedabad, Surat-Rajkot, and Surat-Amreli. This initiative has benefitted over 1.06 lakh passengers, making air travel more affordable for many.

This collaborative effort between the Central and State Governments has resulted in remarkable progress in aviation infrastructure in Gujarat. The state is also working to revive air connectivity services through water aerodrome projects at iconic locations such as the Statue of Unity and the Sabarmati Riverfront. Additionally, new routes under the State’s VGF scheme are planned to connect cities like Vadodara, Rajkot, Ambaji, and Palitana, further strengthening regional connectivity in the state.