What Happened
- Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu announced that India aims to develop 50 new airports in the next five years
- Currently, India has 165 operational airports, and on average, a new airport or terminal is being built every 33 days
- The expansion forms part of the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, which targets up to 350 airports by 2047
- The minister described airports as "scaffolding" for real estate development and economic growth in surrounding areas
- The government is also working on addressing building height restrictions near airports without compromising aviation safety
Static Topic Bridges
UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) — Regional Air Connectivity
The UDAN scheme was launched on 21 October 2016 under the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016 to make air travel affordable and accessible for the common citizen, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. It provides Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to airlines operating on regional routes that would otherwise be commercially unviable. The scheme has progressed through multiple phases (1.0 to 5.0), each expanding coverage to include helipads, seaplanes, island connectivity, and the North-East region. A modified UDAN scheme is currently at the approval stage.
- Launch: 21 October 2016 under NCAP 2016
- Phases: UDAN 1.0 (2017) through UDAN 5.0 (2023); modified UDAN under approval
- Routes awarded: 923 total; 657 currently operational
- Passengers benefited: Over 1.49 crore from affordable regional air travel
- VGF disbursed: Rs 4,494 crore since inception
- Airport expansion: Network grew from 74 airports (2014) to 165 airports (2026)
- Modified UDAN targets: 120 new regional destinations, 4 crore passengers over 10 years
Connection to this news: The 50-new-airports target builds on the UDAN infrastructure foundation, with many new airports expected to be in Tier-2/3 cities that were first connected through UDAN routes and can now support standalone airport development.
Airport Infrastructure Models in India — PPP and AAI
India's airport infrastructure is developed through two primary models: airports owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI, a statutory body under the AAI Act, 1994), and airports developed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) under concession agreements. Major airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad) operate under PPP concessions, while AAI manages over 130 airports directly. The National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) identified airport assets worth Rs 20,782 crore for monetisation through long-term lease or concession models.
- AAI: Statutory body under AAI Act, 1994; manages 137 airports directly
- PPP airports: Delhi (GMR), Mumbai (Adani), Bengaluru (BIAL), Hyderabad (GMR), Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram (Adani Group)
- Navi Mumbai (NMIAL) and Noida (Jewar) International Airports: Greenfield PPP projects under construction
- National Monetization Pipeline airport target: Rs 20,782 crore
- GreenField Airport Policy: Government policy to encourage new airport development with private sector participation
Connection to this news: The 50-airport target over five years will likely employ a mix of AAI-built regional airports (for smaller cities) and PPP concessions (for commercially viable locations), requiring significant coordination between central and state governments.
India's Civil Aviation Growth Trajectory
India is the third-largest domestic aviation market globally (after the US and China) and one of the fastest growing. Domestic passenger traffic has recovered strongly post-COVID, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported over 160 million domestic passengers in CY2025. International traffic is also growing, supported by bilateral air service agreements and India's expanding airline fleet. The sector's growth creates demand for not just airports but also MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facilities, aviation fuel infrastructure, and skilled workforce.
- India: 3rd largest domestic aviation market globally
- Domestic passengers (CY2025): over 160 million
- Fleet size: Indian carriers operating approximately 800 aircraft; IndiGo alone has 350+
- Order book: Over 1,500 aircraft on order (IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air)
- Government target: 350 airports by 2047 under Viksit Bharat vision
- Wings India 2026: Biennial civil aviation event held in Hyderabad (venue for the minister's announcement)
Connection to this news: The 50-airport plan responds to India's rapidly growing passenger base and airline fleet expansion — with over 1,500 aircraft on order, airport infrastructure must scale proportionally to avoid capacity bottlenecks.
Key Facts & Data
- Current operational airports in India: 165
- Target: 50 new airports in 5 years
- Long-term target: 350 airports by 2047 (Viksit Bharat vision)
- Average pace: 1 new airport or terminal every 33 days
- Airport network growth: 74 (2014) to 165 (2026)
- UDAN routes awarded: 923; operational: 657
- UDAN VGF disbursed: Rs 4,494 crore
- India's position: 3rd largest domestic aviation market globally
- Aircraft on order by Indian carriers: over 1,500