UDAN scheme: how regional connectivity changed small-town India flying

The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme has transformed flying from India's smaller cities, reviving dormant airstrips and capping fares on subsidised routes. Airports like Darbhanga, Jharsuguda and Kushinagar went from zero scheduled flights to daily connections, while carriers such as IndiGo, Alliance Air and FLY91 operate ATR and turboprop fleets on thin routes. For travellers, UDAN means one-stop access from metros to over a hundred smaller towns — often cheaper than an overnight train in AC class.