PM Narendra Modi flags off maiden UDAN flight, now fly from Delhi to Shimla at just Rs 2,500

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday flagged off Shimla-New Delhi flight, the maiden flight under government's regional connectivity scheme.

The Prime Minister also launched flights on Kadapa-Hyderabad and Nanded-Hyderabad sectors under UDAN scheme.

To make air travel accessible to citizens in regionally important cities, the Ministry launched Ude Deshka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) Regional Connectivity Scheme in October, 2016.

(Photo: PIB)

This is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism. The UDAN Scheme is a key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) which was released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on June 15, 2016.

The airfare for a one hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30-minute journey on a helicopter would be capped at Rs. 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different stage lengths and flight duration.

Watch Video: PM @narendramodi launches #UDAN – Regional Connectivity Scheme for Civil Aviation - from Shimla pic.twitter.com/3Dcfbl8Ycj

— PIB India (@PIB_India) April 27, 2017

Airports to be connected: 27 currently served airports, 12 currently underserved airports and 31 currently unserved airports (for a total of 70 airports) will be connected through these 27 proposals.

Geographical spread: There is a good geographical spread in the proposals: 24 airports in the western, 17 in north, 11 in south, 12 in east and six in north-eastern regions are proposed to be connected. 22 states and two Union Territories will be connected through these 27 proposals.