Air travel could become more accessible for people living in smaller cities and remote regions as the government expands its regional aviation programme. Under the Modified UDAN Scheme, approved in March 2026, the government plans to improve regional connectivity and add new destinations over the coming decade.

The scheme is particularly important for passengers who currently have to travel long distances by road or rail to reach a major airport.

120 New Destinations to Be Connected

The expanded programme aims to connect 120 new destinations across India. The government expects the initiative to serve around 4 crore additional passengers over the next 10 years.

The objective is to bring air connectivity closer to smaller cities, towns and regions that have historically had limited access to commercial flights.

₹28,840 Crore Allocated for Modified UDAN

The Modified UDAN Scheme has an overall outlay of ₹28,840 crore and is intended to operate during the period from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36.

The programme is designed not only to support new flight routes but also to strengthen the airport infrastructure required to operate them.

Smaller Airports and Remote Areas in Focus

The new phase is expected to place greater emphasis on areas where regular air connectivity is currently limited.

The government has highlighted regions such as hilly areas, the North-East and aspirational districts as important areas for improved connectivity. The scheme also envisages support for smaller airports and heliports.

This could make air travel more practical for people who live far from India's major aviation hubs.

What Has UDAN Achieved So Far?

The original UDAN programme has already expanded India's regional aviation network considerably.

As of July 15, 2026, the scheme had connected 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes through 679 routes, with more than 1.68 crore passengers benefiting from the network.

The government says the initiative has helped make air travel more accessible by supporting routes that may otherwise be difficult to operate commercially.

More Airports Could Mean Easier Travel

The expansion could be particularly useful for passengers travelling for work, education, healthcare or family reasons.

At present, people in smaller cities may have to take a long road or rail journey before reaching an airport with suitable flight connections. If more regional routes become operational, that additional travel time could potentially be reduced.

However, the actual benefit for passengers will depend on which destinations are selected, when individual routes become operational and how frequently airlines operate them.

What Does This Mean for Airfares?

The government has historically used financial support under UDAN to encourage airlines to operate regional routes. The objective is to make air travel more affordable while helping airlines operate routes that may initially have limited commercial viability.

However, the announcement of new destinations does not mean that every future flight will automatically be available at a fixed low fare. Ticket prices will depend on the route, airline, demand, availability and applicable scheme conditions.

A Major Push for Regional Connectivity

With a ₹28,840 crore allocation and plans to connect 120 new destinations, Modified UDAN represents a significant expansion of India's regional aviation network.

For passengers, the biggest potential benefit is simple: more airports and more flight routes could mean less dependence on long road or rail journeys to reach major cities.

As new destinations and routes are announced, travellers in smaller cities will need to watch for the rollout of services in their region.