UDAN Scheme: 100 New Airports; Ahmedabad 3rd Hub & Spoke

Why in the News?

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu announced the development of 100 new airports over the next 10 years at an outlay of ₹30,000 crore under the UDAN scheme, while launching India's 3rd 'Hub and Spoke' service at Ahmedabad Airport.

Key Features / Major Points:

3rd Hub & Spoke Airport: Ahmedabad (Gujarat) has become the 3rd airport in India to operationalize this service, following Varanasi and Amritsar.

Hub & Spoke Model: A aviation network model where passengers from smaller regional airports (spokes) are seamlessly routed through a major central airport (hub) to connect to international destinations.

Airport Network Growth: The total number of operational airports in India has grown from 74 in 2014 to 166.

Revised UDAN Budget: The Union Cabinet approved a outlay of ₹28,840 crore to extend the regional connectivity scheme from FY 2026-27 to 2035-36.

Static GK Facts:

UDAN Scheme: Launched in 2016 | Full Form: Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (Initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for regional air connectivity).

India's 1st 'Hub & Spoke' Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Ministry of Civil Aviation: Headquarters: New Delhi.

One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):

Q: Which airport recently became India's 3rd 'Hub and Spoke' service operational airport under the UDAN scheme?

A: Ahmedabad Airport

Q: In which year was the regional connectivity scheme 'UDAN' launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation?

A: 2016

Q: Which was the first airport in India to introduce the 'Hub and Spoke' service model?

A: Varanasi Airport