Andhra: Kadapa airport sees growth under UDAN scheme; new terminal expected by 2026

Kadapa: Director of Kadapa district airport Sujith Kr Poddar has shared details about the UDAN scheme and ongoing developments at the airport.
The Union government launched the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme at Kadapa airport in 2016, which was initially operated by TruJet Airways until 2021. After that, Indigo Airlines took over operations.
Currently, Kadapa airport has four flights each day, all monitored by Indigo Poddar said on Saturday. "Presently we have four movements in a day. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, we have operations covering Chennai-Kadapa-Vijayawada. The other movement is Vijayawada-Kadapa-Chennai. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, we have movement from Bengaluru to Kadapa and Visakhapatnam, and back from Visakhapatnam-Kadapa-Bengaluru."
Stating that the airport usually handles about 150 passengers daily, Poddar expressed optimism that the new terminal building will be completed and operational by 2026.
Locals have praised PM Narendra Modi's efforts in launching the UDAN scheme, which offers affordable air travel to rural populations. Sources said that the residents even suggested that PM Modi should consider providing subsidies on flights for ration card holders, as many daily labourers from the region travel to nearby states like Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad for work. "This would make the scheme even more beneficial for their livelihood," they said.
Moshes Jashuva a Kadapa resident, expressed his support, saying, "The UDAN scheme is a very good scheme for the Kadapa people...People had to travel all the way to Chennai airport, but the UDAN scheme is a very good scheme for the Kadapa people...PM Modi is implementing very good schemes."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated two airports within three days, one of which is Pakyong Airport in Sikkim, part of the UDAN scheme. This marks Sikkim's first airport, connecting Gangtok to India's air network and becoming the 100th operational airport in the country. Located about 15 km from Gangtok and around 80 km from the India-China border, Pakyong Airport is expected to boost tourism revenue in the state.
The UDAN scheme, part of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, aims to make flying more affordable and connect remote regions. Launched in October 2016, it focuses on enhancing regional connectivity and has a goal of connecting 72 airports, including 45 unserved and underserved ones. The airfare for a one-hour journey of approximately 500 km under this scheme is capped at Rs. 2,500.