File photo: Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh

JAMMU: A Delhi-Udhampur airfare may soon be considerably cheaper with Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh Saturday announcing that Udhampur airport operationalisation had been finalised. Also, the proposed Kishtwar airport was included in the UDAN scheme, he added.The minister said the Udhampur airport could initially begin operations with ATR 72-seater aircraft under the regional connectivity scheme, which would cap ticket fares at nearly half the prevailing market rates. Delhi-Udhampur flight will be substantially less than a Delhi-Jammu flight, officials said.Singh noted this would be a major relief for students and young professionals who often face steep travel costs.