Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced that the central government is taking significant steps to make air travel more inclusive and accessible for everyone. A key initiative in this direction is the establishment of ‘Udan Yatri Cafes’ at airports nationwide, which will be rolled out in phases.
Speaking to the media following the inauguration of an Udan Yatri Cafe at Vijayawada airport on September 29, the Minister highlighted the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. Since its launch in 2016, the scheme has expanded air connectivity by adding over 630 new routes, making air travel more feasible and affordable for citizens in tier-2 and tier-3 cities across India.
Minister Naidu explained that with a growing number of individuals from diverse economic backgrounds now opting for air travel, the focus has shifted to ensuring essential services are available and affordable at airports. He noted that the idea for Udan Yatri Cafes stemmed directly from public feedback concerning the excessively high prices of food and beverages at existing airport outlets.
The inaugural Udan Yatri Cafe opened its doors at Kolkata airport in December 2024 and was met with enthusiastic public response. These cafes offer everyday items like tea for ₹10 and coffee for ₹20, providing a much-needed affordable option. Similar successful outlets have since been established at major airports including Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Itanagar, and Pune.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to progressively introduce these cafes at airports nationwide, emphasizing their role in significantly enhancing the passenger experience by making essential services more accessible and budget-friendly.
In other significant announcements, the Minister revealed plans for an imminent international flight service from Vijayawada to Singapore. Additionally, new domestic routes will soon connect Vijayawada with major Indian cities such as Ahmedabad, Varanasi, and Pune.
He also confirmed that the construction of the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) at Vijayawada airport is on track for completion within the next three months. This upgrade is expected to substantially increase the airport’s capacity to manage a greater volume of passengers.
Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, who attended the event, commended Union Minister Rammohan Naidu for his efforts in boosting air connectivity across airports in Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier in the day, the Union Minister, alongside Airport Director M. Lakshmi Kantha Reddy and other Airport Authority of India Board members, participated in a tree plantation drive on the airport premises, underscoring a commitment to environmental initiatives.