Rise in domestic & international passengers, UDAN playing a big role, informs minister

More than 1.23 crore passengers have travelled on RCS UDAN flights since inception of scheme. There has been a sharp rise in the flow of International Passengers also with the first quarter of 2023, registering 88% increase over corresponding 2022 figures.

There has been a surge in the number of passengers under UDAN scheme and more than 1.23 crore passengers have travelled on RCS UDAN flights since inception of the scheme. During this period, 148 airports including nine heliports and two water aerodromes, have been either developed or operationalised till date. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen. (Dr) V. K. Singh (Retd) in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, informed about the development.

If there is a delay in accomplishing the development and revival of some of the airports, heliports & water aerodromes under UDAN areas, it is majorly because of the inability of the State Government to make land available on time.

Moreover, new entrants take longer time in getting Schedule Commuter Operator permits as they are not able to fulfill the requirements in time. Clearances with respect to Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ) and Environmental Clearances, non-availability of suitable aircraft, leasing issues of aircraft, long lead time for delivery of small aircraft, difficulties in procuring spares from abroad airports, heliports and water aerodromes under State Government or UT, PSU being sometimes not ready in time, are also important reasons for te dealy.

The minister also informed that a regular monitoring of the progress of upgradation works and removal of bottlenecks in the operationalisation of airports is done to ensure timely completion.

The minister said that passengers carried by scheduled Indian and Foreign carriers for scheduled international operations in the first quarter of 2023 show an increase of about 88% over the passenger figures of first quarter of 2022 as per provisional figures available.

The number of international passengers had been affected adversely due to COVID-19. However, the situation has improved as witnessed by rebound in air travelers after the resumption of scheduled international commercial passenger operations w.e.f 27.03.2022.

The market share of scheduled domestic airlines for international passengers has not shown an increase as per provisional figures available.