In a significant revelation in the Rajya Sabha, the Union government has disclosed that 15 airports developed under the ambitious regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN, are currently non-operational. This list includes the high-profile Shimla airport, which was constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 116 crore.
Key Reasons Behind the Grounding
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, provided this information on Monday in response to questions, including one from Himachal Pradesh MP Harsh Mahajan. He cited a complex mix of challenges leading to the temporary suspension of services at these airports.
The primary reasons include the expiry of the three-year viability gap funding (VGF) period, which provided financial support to airlines. Other critical factors are poor visibility at airports operating under visual flight rules (VFR), daytime runway closures, and a shortage of aircraft. Leasing issues, temporary withdrawal of airline services, transfer of contractual obligations, and critically, low passenger load factors (PLF) have also contributed to the halt in operations.
The Full List of Affected Airports
The non-operational airports span across several states. Alongside Shimla, the list includes Pathankot, Ludhiana, Pakyong (Sikkim), Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Aligarh, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Moradabad, Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Ambikapur (Chhattisgarh), Rourkela (Odisha), Datia (Madhya Pradesh), and Kalaburagi (Karnataka).
Minister Mohol also highlighted issues with other aviation infrastructures in Himachal Pradesh. The Kullu airport, built for over Rs 37 crore, remains underserved. Furthermore, the Mandi heliport (Rs 8+ crore) and the Rampur heliport (Rs 4+ crore) continue to be non-operational, raising questions about the utilization of public funds in challenging terrains.
Future Plans and Expansion Focus
Amidst these operational challenges, the government is pushing forward with expansion plans for other facilities to boost connectivity. Following a request from the Himachal Pradesh government, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has prepared a proposal to expand Kangra's Gaggal airport.
The state has been asked to provide 369.82 acres of land for this project. The expansion is intended to enable the airport to support operations of larger 4C-type aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR), which are less dependent on clear visibility. Mohol emphasized that such expansion is contingent on land availability, financial viability, and the specific facilities needed for the intended aircraft operations.
Despite the setbacks, the minister underscored the scheme's overall progress, noting that 651 routes connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, have been operationalized nationwide under UDAN. He stated that airport infrastructure development is a continuous process driven by passenger demand forecasts, safety needs, and airline interest, which itself is based on market demand and commercial feasibility.
