The Union Government of India has launched the fourth round of UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to enhance the connectivity to regional areas of the country.

• This phase is to focus on Hilly states, North East Region, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir and Islands.
• The Viability Gap Funding provided for Category 2 and 3 aircrafts (> 20 seats) has now been enhanced to all flights in the states of HP, Uttarakhand, J&K, North Eastern states and the islands. Also, the phase will allow operation of helicopter and sea planes.
• The phase also plans to promote short-haul routes, meaning no monetary support will be given to operators with stages more than 600 kms.

Previous phases of UDAN

• In phase 1, around 43 airports were constructed under the scheme. It includes water aerodromes and heliports as well.
• In phase 2, around 30 airports were constructed and in phase 3, 33 airports were constructed.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation aims to operationalize 1000 routes and more than 100 airports in the next 5 years.