Looking for a Rs 2,500 Delhi-Shimla air ticket? You may end up paying Rs 19,000

NEW DELHI: PM Modi on Thursday launched the affordable regional flying or Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (Udan) scheme. Fares on these flights will be capped at Rs 2,500 per hour of flying for half the number of seats on planes operating these subsidised regional flights.

Flagging off the first Udan flight from Shimla to Delhi on Thursday, Modi said he wanted people wearing hawai chappal to do hawai yatra. “Earlier aviation was considered the domain of a select few. That has changed now. The lives of the middle class are being transformed and their aspirations are increasing. Given the right chance, they can do wonders,” he said.

With only half of the available seats on Delhi-Shimla sector subsidised, fares on this route can go as high as Rs 19,000 due to restricted availability of seats.


The scheme will see 128 unconnected-by-air city pairs getting flight services by September. Five firms will operate on these 128 routes bringing 31 unserved airports on the flight map.