Mint Explainer | Why is India doubling down on regional aviation despite mixed UDAN records? | Today’s news

Airlines are struggling with weak demand, a shortage of aircraft, maintenance issues and high operating costs. Several regional carriers that won UDAN routes, including Air Odisha, Air Deccan, TruJet, Zoom Air and FlyBig, have either shut down or sharply curtailed operations over the years, disrupting connectivity in several states. Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport called for a new viability study before expanding the system.