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In an ambitious move to enhance the air travel experience and offer affordable options to passengers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the introduction of 'Udaan Yatri Cafe’ at airports. This innovative concept aims to provide travelers with essential refreshments at reasonable prices, starting with a pilot project at Kolkata Airport. This initiative comes as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and the 8th anniversary of the UDAN scheme, aimed at boosting regional air connectivity.
The announcement was made by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu at a special ceremony held at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in Delhi on December 13. During the event, Naidu also unveiled the official logo for the Centenary Celebrations of Kolkata Airport.
He emphasized the ministry's effort to make air travel more accessible and affordable for passengers, especially those availing of the UDAN scheme. "Passengers were travelling through UDAAN to felicitate them more, we are trying to launch a new cafe 'Udan Yatri Cafe' at the Kolkata airport recently that is one of its kind and we feel that this is going to specially cater the passengers who are travelling through the UDAN scheme," Naidu remarked.
Celebrating A Century of Air Travel in Kolkata
To mark this significant milestone, a three-month-long celebration will commence on December 21, featuring the release of a special stamp and coin to honor the centenary of Kolkata's airport. Naidu expressed his enthusiasm for the festivities, highlighting the importance of commemorating the occasion alongside the residents of Kolkata and Bengal. "We will do three month-long celebrations so that the whole city of Kolkata and the people of Bengal also celebrated along with the airport authority of India.
We are celebrating on the 21st December, we want to commemorate by releasing a stamp and a coin also for the 100 years. And along with that, in the last 10 years that the airports that have been built, our Prime Minister has given a special direction for the airport, saying that we have to show the rich cultural heritage that India carries through the medium of architecture at the airport," Naidu elaborated.
Expanding Access to Affordable Refreshments
The Udaan Yatri Cafe will initially feature kiosks in the departure area of Kolkata Airport, offering a selection of essential refreshments like tea, coffee, snacks, and water at affordable prices. Following its anticipated success in Kolkata, the Ministry plans to roll out these cafes across all airports managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). This move is part of a broader effort to make air travel a more inclusive and affordable experience for all Indians, in line with the country's rapidly expanding aviation sector, which continues to create numerous employment opportunities.
To wrap up, the launch of the Udaan Yatri Cafe and the centenary celebrations of Kolkata Airport are pivotal steps towards making air travel in India more affordable and enjoyable. By introducing these cafes, starting with Kolkata Airport, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is not only honoring the legacy of one of India's key airports but also reaffirming its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. With plans to extend this initiative across the country, travelers can look forward to more accessible refreshment options during their journeys, reflecting the ministry's dedication to fostering an inclusive and vibrant aviation culture in India.
