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Indian Government Launches Initiative for Low-Cost Flights

CC0 / / Mumbai Airport
Mumbai Airport - Sputnik International
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On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a new low-cost affordable UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik, meaning Common Indians Can Fly) scheme to boost air travel between smaller cities.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd R) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe (R) shake hands in front of a shinkansen train during their inspection at a bullet train manufacturing plant in Kobe, Hyogo prefecture on November 12, 2016 - Sputnik International
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New Delhi (Sputnik) Indian PM Modi launched the first regional flight under the scheme from Shimla in the state of Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi. Other services under the scheme include flights from Kadapa to Hyderabad and Nanded to Hyderabad.

​“I want to see people who wear Hawai chappal (flip flops) in a Hawaii jahaz (airplane),” Modi said after launching the flight.

The UDAN is aimed at boosting regional connectivity with low-cost flights. It is a first-of-its-kind scheme globally to stimulate regional connectivity through a market-based mechanism.

​The UDAN scheme is a key component of India’s National Aviation Policy. Under the UDAN scheme, the air fare between the poorly connected cities will be capped at Rs 2500 or $ 40 for every 500 km of travel.

​The government has dropped tax levies as an incentive to the airlines so that more and more Indians could fly on less traveled routes.

Domestic air travel has increased in India recently. The low-cost flights under the UDAN scheme are expected to boost regional connectivity and give a fillip to the airline industry.

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