New Delhi, July 16 -- The Centre will extend financial support under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme from three years to five years in a phased manner, a move aimed at providing airlines with longer-term viability to operate regional routes, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.

While speaking with ANI on the sidelines of the UDAN workshop, the Minister noted that the Indian government offered an outlay of Rs 29,000 crores for the next 10 years, which will likely create a solid ecosystem of civil aviation across the country.

Launched in 2016, UDAN is the Government of India's regional connectivity scheme aimed at making air travel affordable and accessible to the common citizen.

Highlighting the focus on expanding c...