PM inaugurated Saharanpur, Rewa and Ambikapur airports in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh respectively, as part of the celebrations under RCS-UDAN.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Genesis: Launched in 2016, a vital component of National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. 
  • The first RCS-UDAN flight was inaugurated in 2017, connecting Shimla to Delhi.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Purpose:  To improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, making air travel affordable for the masses.
• Benefits 
  • Subsidised seats for passengers: Travel fee is capped (initially it was capped to Rs.2500- per passenger)
  • Support to Airlines:  Government compensates in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines for losses due to low fares. 
• Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF): It facilitates the self-financing mechanism of the scheme by funding the VGF through a levy on certain domestic flights.
• Market-driven model: Airlines assess demand on specific routes and submit proposals during bidding rounds.
• Recent changes: Currently 5th phase of the scheme is ongoing. The distance gap of 600 km and Airfare Caps is reduced VGF is enhanced 
•  Implementing Agency: Airports Authority of India (AAI)