“UDAN Yatri Cafe is part of our commitment to making air travel truly inclusive — affordable food for the common citizen, because flying should not mean paying a premium for basic needs.” — Ram Mohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister
India’s aviation industry is undergoing a transformation to make air travel more accessible, affordable, and passenger-friendly. A key initiative in this effort is the UDAN Yatri Cafe, an affordable airport dining service introduced under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.
After a successful debut in Kolkata on December 19, 2024, the Civil Aviation Ministry has expanded the initiative to Chennai International Airport, making it the second UDAN Yatri Cafe in India. Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the cafe, reinforcing the government’s commitment to providing cost-effective, high-quality food options at airports nationwide.
🍽️ What is UDAN Yatri Cafe?
The UDAN Yatri Cafe is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide affordable, high-quality food options at airports. This concept is part of the broader UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which was launched in 2017 to make air travel accessible to the masses by improving regional connectivity and passenger amenities.
By addressing concerns about overpriced food at airports, the UDAN Yatri Cafe aims to enhance the passenger experience while making air travel more inclusive and convenient for all types of travelers.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Budget-Friendly Menu | Prices significantly lower than traditional airport food outlets |
| Quality Standards | Hygiene and quality at par with premium food chains |
| Convenient Locations | Within airport terminals for easy access |
| Target Audience | Common citizens, budget travelers, families |
Think of UDAN Yatri Cafe as a “Jan Ahaar” (food for common people) inside airports. Just as UDAN made flying affordable with cheap tickets, UDAN Yatri Cafe makes eating at airports affordable. A meal that costs ₹500+ at regular airport outlets might cost just ₹100-150 at UDAN Yatri Cafe — same quality, lower price!
📍 From Kolkata to Chennai: Expansion Journey
The first-ever UDAN Yatri Cafe was launched on December 19, 2024, at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. The initiative received an overwhelming response from passengers who appreciated the affordability and quality of the food.
Building on this success, the Civil Aviation Ministry expanded the initiative to Chennai International Airport, one of India’s top five busiest airports handling over 22 million passengers annually.
First Two Cafes: Kolkata (Dec 19, 2024) → Chennai (2025) | Inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu | Part of UDAN scheme (2017)
✈️ Chennai Airport Infrastructure Upgrades
Alongside the launch of UDAN Yatri Cafe, the Civil Aviation Ministry announced several major infrastructure upgrades at Chennai International Airport to improve passenger convenience and operational efficiency.
| Upgrade | Investment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 2 Expansion | Major | 86,135 sq meters post-expansion; boosts international operations |
| Terminals 1 & 4 Renovation | ₹75+ Crore | Modernized lounges, upgraded baggage handling, enhanced security |
| Traffic Management System | ₹19 Crore | Reduces congestion, improves airport-city connectivity |
| Solar Power Plant | 1.5 MW | 100% green energy transition for sustainable operations |
Chennai Airport’s 100% transition to green energy and 1.5 MW solar plant makes it one of India’s most sustainable airports. How does this align with India’s climate commitments? The aviation sector contributes significantly to carbon emissions — making airports green is a step toward decarbonization goals.
🛎️ Passenger Experience Enhancements
Chennai International Airport is not only expanding its infrastructure but also focusing on enhancing passenger comfort and sustainability with several new amenities.
| Amenity | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|
| Free Buggy Services | Senior citizens, pregnant women, passengers with reduced mobility |
| 24/7 Medical Facilities | All passengers — first-aid stations, on-call doctors |
| Childcare Rooms | Parents traveling with infants |
| Modernized Lounges | All passengers — upgraded waiting areas |
| Energy-Efficient Systems | Reduced carbon footprint, sustainable operations |
Don’t confuse: UDAN Yatri Cafe is about affordable FOOD at airports, NOT cheap flight tickets. The UDAN Scheme (2017) is about regional air connectivity and affordable fares. Both share the name but serve different purposes! First cafe = Kolkata (Dec 19, 2024), Second = Chennai.
🔮 Future Expansion Plans
Given the success of UDAN Yatri Cafes in Kolkata and Chennai, the Civil Aviation Ministry has ambitious expansion plans to introduce them at more airports across India, including Tier-2 and Tier-3 city airports.
| Planned Airport | City |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | Delhi |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | Mumbai |
| Kempegowda International Airport | Bengaluru |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad |
| Regional Airports | Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities |
Click to flip • Master key facts
For GDPI, Essay Writing & Critical Analysis
5 questions • Instant feedback
The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was launched at Kolkata (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport) on December 19, 2024.
The second UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated at Chennai International Airport by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
UDAN stands for Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik, meaning “the common citizen takes flight.” The scheme was launched in 2017.
Chennai Airport has achieved 100% transition to green energy with a 1.5 MW solar power plant.
Over ₹75 crore has been allocated for the renovation of Terminals 1 and 4 at Chennai International Airport.
