India plans to expand operational airports to 400 by 2047: Government

19 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that the number of operational airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024. The ministry aims to further expand this number to 350-400 by 2047.

In the past decade, the number of domestic air passengers has more than doubled, with Indian airlines significantly increasing their fleets. India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market, showing substantial growth. The total air passengers handled at Indian airports reached Rs 370.6 million in FY24, marking a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the ministry's data.

The data indicated that the industry has undergone a significant transformation, moving beyond its previous limitations and evolving into a dynamic and competitive sector. This transformation has placed India at the forefront of the global aviation ecosystem, making it the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, following the US and China.

At the recent second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's advancements in technology and infrastructure within civil aviation. He emphasized the need to make the sector more inclusive for women. Modi pointed out that 15 per cent of India's pilots are women, which is significantly higher than the global average of 5 per cent, and mentioned that an advisory has been issued to increase this number further.

Additionally, the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), launched in 2016, aims to enhance connectivity to unserved and underserved airports in the country by reviving existing airstrips and airports.

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