India’s expanding aviation sector is placing greater demands on air traffic controllers (ATCs), who coordinate aircraft movements and help maintain safety across the country’s airspace. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the responsibilities of these professionals would increase as passenger traffic expands over the coming decades.

Naidu was addressing ATCs in Chennai virtually on Tuesday during events marking the International Day of Air Traffic Controllers. India recorded its highest monthly domestic passenger traffic in May 2026, with more than 15 mn passengers travelling during the month. The country currently handles more than 5,000 domestic and over 1,000 international air traffic movements every day.

The minister said passenger traffic was expected to rise from 240 mn to 1.3 bn by 2047, increasing the responsibility of those managing the skies. He also highlighted the need to modernise air navigation infrastructure as the volume and complexity of aviation operations grow.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has earmarked Rs. 34.9 bn for infrastructure modernisation, including Rs. 15.32 bn for automating the air traffic management system. Naidu said technology would support controllers but could not replace human judgement, composure and responsibility in maintaining aviation safety.

The government has also created 840 additional controller posts in recent years to strengthen the workforce and address operational pressures. Alongside staffing and infrastructure measures, flexible use of airspace has contributed to improved efficiency and a lower environmental impact.

The minister said flexible airspace management had generated estimated savings of Rs. 8.95 bn and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 195,000 t since August 2020. The measures are intended to support the sector’s long-term expansion while ensuring that safety and operational resilience remain central to aviation planning.