Chennai: About 33 destinations (unserved airports) throughout the country will be connected by air services by this September-end, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju has informed on Wednesday.

Five operators would operate on 128 routes connecting 70 airports, most of which are not well connected by airlines at present. “Five airlines will be participating in the first phase and we will see (air) connectivity by this September-end,” Gajapathi Raju said.

These 33 destinations would be connected under the Udan scheme, Gajapathi Raju who earlier participated in the International Day of Yoga at SBOA School here, said. Noting that Salem airport in Tamil Nadu is inoperative, the Minister said it is for the state government and airline operators to decide on providing regional connectivity.

Over 45 unserved and under-served airports are expected to be connected under the scheme - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) that aims to make flying more affordable.

In the first round of bidding, Air Odisha Aviation has won the bid to connect the maximum number of unserved airports in the country.

Other carriers which won the bids to fly to unserved airports in tier-2 cities include Air India’s subsidiary Alliance Air, Air Deccan, SpiceJet, Air Odisha and Turbo Megha. About 50 per cent of seats on every flight will cost Rs 2,500 per seat under the Udan scheme. This will be applicable for flights where the distance is less than 500 km or one-hour.

On April 27, Prime Minister Narendra had inaugurated the maiden Shimla-New Delhi flight under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) also called Udan. “By September, we are expecting that the 33 destinations will be connected,” Gajapathi Raju said.