Briefing the UDAN scheme, flagged off by PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Three inaugural flights were flagged off today by the Prime Minister under the scheme of Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN). Shimla- Delhi, Kadapa-Hyderabad, and Nanded-Hyderabad were the first three of the launched regional flights.

There are several facts entailed in this scheme, as reported by Times Of India.

UDAN is the first scheme to be launched in the world to encourage regional connectivity. The scheme was released by the ministry of civil aviation as a key component of NCAP on June 15, 2016.

“Airfare for a 1-hour journey of approximately 500 kilometres on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30-minute journey on a helicopter would be capped at Rs 2,500,” the PM said.

The Airports Authority of India has approved 27 proposals which will look after 27 currently served airports, 12 underserved airports and 31 unserved airports for a total of 70 airports connected.

The Airlines companies chosen include Airline Allied Services (Alliance Air), SpiceJet, Turbo Megha Airways, Air Deccan and Air Odisha. The seating capacity of aircraft under UDAN will range from 19 to 78, and 50 percent of the seats on every flight with a fare cap of Rs 2,500 per seat per hour.