New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- Nineteen states have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday to roll out the next phase of the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN, initiating a challenge mode framework to convert unserved airstrips into operational airports.

Key officials and ministers, speaking at the signing ceremony in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, explained the broader transition of the initiative, stating that the project has moved from mere connectivity to building long-term operational viability.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol underlined the expansion of the domestic aviation market, pointing out that domestic airports handled aro...