PM Udaan Yojana 2025: Hey there! If you’ve ever dreamed of hopping on a plane to visit a new city but thought air travel was out of your budget, you’re in for a treat. The PM Udaan Yojana 2025 is here to make flying more affordable and accessible, especially for folks in India’s smaller towns and cities. Launched as part of the government’s push to connect every corner of the country, this scheme is a game-changer for anyone who’s ever wanted to soar the skies without breaking the bank.
What Is the PM Udaan Yojana?
Let’s start with the basics. The PM Udaan Yojana, officially called Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (which translates to “Let the common citizen of the country fly”), is a regional connectivity scheme (RCS) launched by the Government of India in 2016. Its mission? To make air travel affordable for the average Indian, especially those living in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Bhagalpur, Jodhpur, or Durgapur. By 2025, the scheme has expanded significantly, connecting hundreds of smaller airports and airstrips to major cities, making it easier for people to travel for work, family, or just to explore India.
The idea behind Udaan is simple: air travel shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the wealthy. The government provides financial support, called Viability Gap Funding (VGF), to airlines to operate routes to smaller cities where ticket sales alone might not cover costs. In return, airlines cap ticket prices to keep them affordable—think ₹2,500 for a one-hour flight! Since its launch, Udaan has connected 410 airports and airstrips across 774 routes, with 54 routes operational as of March 2023, and transported over 3.4 crore passengers in 2022-23 alone. In 2025, the scheme is bigger and better, with new routes, airports, and benefits for travelers.
Pradhan Mantri Udaan Scheme 2025: Overview
| Aim | PM Udaan Yojana 2025 |
| Eligibility Criteria for the payment | People from tier 2 and tier 3 cities |
| Payment Amount | ₹2,500 for a one-hour flight, mainly linking tier-II and tier-III cities |
| Aim of this PM Udaan Yojana | Through this program, the government seeks to establish regional connectivity across the country. According to the plan, its flights will cover a maximum distance of 800 km. |
| Benefits of PM Udaan Yojana | Supports India’s aviation industry by permitting small and first-time operators to take part in the accelerated growth of passenger traffic. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Category | Financial Relief |
| Government | India |
| Country | India |
| Resources | https://www.aai.aero/en/rcs-udan |
Eligible for PM Udaan Yojana 2025?
One of the best things about Udaan is that it’s not just for a select few—it’s for the “aam naagrik” (common citizen). But there are some specifics to understand about eligibility, especially since the scheme involves airlines, airports, and passengers. Here’s the breakdown:
- Passengers: Pretty much anyone in India can book a Udaan flight, but the scheme is designed to benefit folks in tier-2 and tier-3 cities the most. If you live in a smaller town or city with a Udaan-connected airport (like Agartala, Imphal, or Bilaspur), you’re the target audience. There’s no strict income or age limit for passengers, so whether you’re a student, a professional, or a retiree, you can take advantage of the capped fares.
- Airlines: Airlines participating in Udaan must bid for routes and agree to cap ticket prices on a certain number of seats (usually 50% of the flight). They get VGF from the government to make these routes financially viable. In 2025, airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and smaller operators like Star Air are heavily involved.
- Airports: The scheme focuses on under-served or unserved airports—think smaller airstrips or regional airports that don’t see much traffic. By 2025, over 100 new airports have been added to the network, including places like Darbhanga in Bihar and Shivamogga in Karnataka.
- Special Categories: While there’s no formal “category” for passengers, the scheme prioritizes routes that benefit underserved communities, like those in remote areas or aspirational districts (e.g., Bundelkhand or Northeast India). If you’re in one of these areas, you’re likely to see more flight options.
The only real “catch” is that Udaan flights are limited to specific routes, and not every city is covered yet. To check if your city is part of the network, visit the official Udaan portal (udaan.gov.in) or check with airlines like IndiGo or SpiceJet, which list Udaan routes on their websites.
Benefits of PM Udaan Yojana?
Why should you care about Udaan? Because it’s not just about cheap flights—it’s about opening up opportunities. Here’s what you get:
- Affordable Fares: Udaan caps ticket prices at around ₹2,500 for a one-hour flight (up to 500 km) and scales up slightly for longer routes. For example, a flight from Kolkata to Darbhanga might cost ₹2,500-3,500, compared to ₹5,000+ on a regular flight.
- More Connectivity: With 774 routes and 410 airports by 2025, you can travel to and from smaller cities that were previously hard to reach. Want to fly from Patna to Ranchi or Guwahati to Shillong? Udaan’s got you covered.
- Economic Boost: For small-town residents, Udaan means easier access to big cities for jobs, education, or medical care. It’s also a boon for local businesses, as better connectivity brings in tourists and investors.
- Tourism and Adventure: Udaan includes special categories like Tourism RCS and Helicopter RCS, so you can visit places like hill stations or religious sites at lower costs. Imagine flying to Leh or Kedarnath without emptying your wallet!
- Support for Airlines: The VGF ensures airlines can operate these routes without losing money, so you’re more likely to see consistent flights even to less popular destinations.
In 2025, the scheme has also introduced seaplane services and international RCS routes, connecting places like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and even neighboring countries like Nepal or Bhutan. It’s an exciting time to be a traveler!
How to Apply for PM Udaan Yojana 2025
Okay, let’s get practical. As a passenger, you don’t need to “apply” for Udaan in the way you might for a government subsidy or loan. Instead, you book a flight on a Udaan route through an airline’s website or app, just like any other flight. The capped fares are automatically applied to eligible routes. Here’s how you can get started:
- Check Available Routes: Visit the official Udaan portal (udaan.gov.in) to see the list of active routes and airports. You can also check airline websites like IndiGo, SpiceJet, or Alliance Air, which mark Udaan flights clearly.
- Choose Your Flight: Look for flights labeled as “RCS-UDAN” or “Regional Connectivity Scheme” when booking. These will have capped fares. For example, a flight from Lucknow to Varanasi might be listed as a Udaan flight with a fare of ₹2,500.
- Book Online:
- Go to the airline’s website or app (e.g., indigo.in, spicejet.com).
- Enter your departure and destination cities, travel dates, and passenger details.
- Select a Udaan flight (it’ll show the capped fare).
- Pay using debit/credit cards, UPI, or net banking. Some platforms like Paytm or MakeMyTrip also support Udaan bookings.
- Get Your Ticket: Once booked, you’ll get a confirmation via email or SMS. The ticket will show the subsidized fare, and you’re ready to fly!
If you’re new to booking flights, don’t worry—it’s as easy as booking a train ticket. Just make sure you’re booking a Udaan-specific flight to get the discounted fare. If you’re in a remote area with limited internet, you can visit a local travel agent or Common Service Centre (CSC) to book your ticket, though online is usually faster.
PM Udaan Yojana Payment Dates and Amounts
Since Udaan is about booking flights, there’s no fixed “payment date” like you’d have with a utility bill. Instead, you pay when you book your ticket, just like any other flight. Here’s what you need to know about costs:
- Ticket Prices: Fares are capped based on distance:
- Up to 500 km (1-hour flight): ₹2,500
- 500-1,000 km: ₹3,000-4,500
- Over 1,000 km: ₹5,000-7,000 (varies by route) For example, a flight from Bhubaneswar to Raipur (about 400 km) might cost ₹2,500, while Delhi to Dehradun (250 km) could be even cheaper.
- Additional Fees: You might pay extra for taxes, airport fees, or optional services like baggage or seat selection. These are usually minimal, keeping the total cost affordable.
- Payment Timing: You pay at the time of booking, either online or through a travel agent. Some airlines offer “book now, pay later” options, but these aren’t specific to Udaan and depend on the airline.
- Frequency: There’s no recurring payment since you only pay when you book a flight. If you travel often, you can keep an eye on Udaan routes for regular deals.
To give you a sense, a round-trip from Patna to Ranchi under Udaan might cost ₹5,000-6,000 total, compared to ₹10,000+ on a non-Udaan flight. That’s a huge saving, especially for frequent travelers or families.
Checking Your Booking Status
Once you’ve booked a Udaan flight, checking your status is simple:
- Airline Website or App: Log in to the airline’s website (e.g., indigo.in) with your booking reference number (PNR) to view your flight details, confirm your seat, or make changes.
- Udaan Portal: While the Udaan portal (udaan.gov.in) doesn’t manage bookings directly, it has a “Contact Us” section where you can inquire about route availability or flight status if you’re unsure.
- Customer Support: If you face issues (like a canceled flight or payment glitch), call the airline’s helpline or email their support team. Most airlines have 24/7 support for Udaan routes.
- Third-Party Platforms: If you booked through Paytm, MakeMyTrip, or a similar platform, use their app or website to track your booking status with your PNR.
