Politics · India Bureau
India signs 21 aviation pacts to expand regional air connectivity
The Civil Aviation Ministry has inked 21 memorandums of understanding with states and union territories to accelerate development of regional airports and improve air access to underserved areas across the country.
LSN India ·
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, participating states and union territories, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have jointly signed the agreements as part of the next phase of the UDAN scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at democratising air travel across India.
The memorandums of understanding represent a structured framework for coordinated action between central, state and territorial authorities to identify, develop and operationalise aviation infrastructure. The pacts align infrastructure expansion with the specific connectivity requirements and priorities identified by each participating state and union territory.
The 21 agreements mark a significant milestone in centre-state collaboration on aviation development, with the AAI serving as the implementing agency for the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. The initiative focuses on strengthening air connectivity to regions that currently lack adequate aviation services.
The pacts underscore the government's commitment to expanding regional aviation networks beyond major metropolitan hubs, aiming to improve accessibility and affordability of air travel for citizens across the country. The structured partnership model is expected to accelerate the pace of airport development and route operationalisation in identified regions.