Uttar Pradesh Honored with National Award for Excellence in Regional Air Connectivity
In a significant achievement for the state's aviation sector, Uttar Pradesh has been conferred the prestigious national award for the 'Most Proactive State' under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-RCS-UDAN. This recognition highlights the state's exceptional efforts in enhancing air connectivity, particularly in non-priority areas that are neither hill regions nor part of the north-east.
Fastest Progress Among Non-Priority States
The award was specifically given in the non-priority area category, where Uttar Pradesh recorded the fastest progress in implementing the RCS-UDAN scheme. This scheme aims to make air travel more accessible and affordable by connecting underserved and unserved airports across the country.
Ishan Pratap Singh, Director of Civil Aviation in Uttar Pradesh, attributed this success to comprehensive initiatives undertaken over the past few years under the Yogi Adityanath government. He emphasized that the state's proactive approach has been instrumental in driving this growth.
Key Factors Behind the Achievement
Singh outlined several critical measures that contributed to this award-winning performance:
- Airport Modernisation: Upgrading existing airport infrastructure to meet contemporary standards.
- Construction of New Runways: Expanding runway capacity to accommodate more flights.
- Introduction of Night Landing Facilities: Enhancing operational flexibility and safety for flights during nighttime.
- Promotion of Regional Flights: Actively encouraging and supporting regional air services under the UDAN scheme.
Remarkable Growth in Passenger and Cargo Traffic
The impact of these policies is vividly reflected in the state's aviation statistics. Over the past nine years, air passenger traffic in Uttar Pradesh has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 9.98%, showcasing sustained momentum.
Domestic Passenger Growth:
- 2016: 52.3 lakh passengers
- 2024: Over 1.16 crore passengers
- 2025: More than 1.41 crore passengers
This represents the highest growth in domestic air travel among Indian states, underscoring Uttar Pradesh's leadership in this domain.
International Passenger Growth:
- 2016: 7.66 lakh passengers
- 2024: Over 12.63 lakh passengers
- 2025: Over 13.37 lakh passengers
Air Cargo Traffic Increase:
- 2016: 5,895 tonnes
- 2024: 27,998 tonnes
- 2025: 29,761 tonnes
These figures demonstrate a substantial rise in both passenger and cargo movements, highlighting the state's expanding aviation footprint.
Government Policies Driving Transformation
Singh further elaborated on the transformative effect of government policies, noting that air passenger numbers have surged from 59.97 lakh in 2016 to over 1.55 crore in 2025. This exponential growth is a testament to the strategic focus on aviation infrastructure and connectivity.
The award not only celebrates Uttar Pradesh's current achievements but also sets a benchmark for other states to emulate in fostering regional air connectivity and boosting economic development through enhanced aviation links.
