Sven Klawunder in an Exclusive Interview with India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu
Sven Klawunder speaks exclusively with India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, about the strategic importance of India’s aviation development programme and its implementation, as well as its impact on European and global air transport.
Phase Two of India’s UDAN Aviation Programme (Modified UDAN)
The Government of India has unveiled the next phase of its regional connectivity programme, UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). The new initiative, known as Modified UDAN, was presented by Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu during a workshop in New Delhi. The programme aims to further expand regional air connectivity and make air travel more affordable and accessible for people living in smaller cities and underserved regions.
Key Highlights of Modified UDAN
- Development of more than 100 additional regional airports, heliports, and water aerodromes over the next decade.
- Significant investments in expanding and modernising aviation infrastructure.
- Enhanced Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to enable airlines to operate commercially less attractive regional routes.
- Larger aircraft will be permitted to offer a greater number of subsidised seats, allowing more passengers to benefit from affordable fares.
- Introduction of a „Challenge Mode“ selection process, under which airports will be chosen based on criteria such as existing infrastructure, proximity to tourism and industrial hubs, and the level of support provided by state governments.
Strengthening India’s Regional Air Connectivity
The objective of this new phase is to further improve regional accessibility, stimulate economic growth in remote areas, and reinforce aviation as a key pillar of India’s national infrastructure. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the UDAN programme has already enabled the launch of 679 routes, connecting 95 airports, heliports, and water aerodromes across the country.
Looking Ahead: Indi Airport 2026
This November, India will host Indi Airport, one of the country’s largest airport exhibitions and aviation conferences. The future of the UDAN programme will be one of the key topics on the agenda. The event provides an excellent platform for European companies, airport operators, aviation suppliers, and industry experts to establish connections with the rapidly expanding Indian aviation market and explore new business opportunities.
