MoCA launches UDAN Round IV

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has launched the fourth round of the Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN – to further enhance connectivity to the country’s remote and regional areas. Under this round, the focus is on priority areas like the north-eastern regions, hilly states, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and islands. To finalise the routes, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has invited bids for submission of initial proposals for networks and routes to be covered under the round. The last date of bid submission is January 9, 2020. Under the round, priority for award of viability gap funding (VGF) will be given to airports that have already been developed by AAI, followed by airports that are located in priority areas and then to other airports located in areas other than priority area. Further, provision of VGF for stage length of up to 500 km has been announced, besides providing flexibility for changing frequency of flights and including operations of helicopters and seaplanes.