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India, one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, has experienced significant growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 Domestic air passenger traffic reached record highs, with airlines flying 456,910 domestic passengers on November 19 last year.

This marked the highest single-day air traffic since the pandemic began, reflecting a 7.4% increase above pre-COVID averages, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Sumesh Patel, President of SITA, Asia Pacific, highlighted that the Modi-led government has ensured affordable and broader access to air travel for Indians over the past decade.

The government's focus on the aviation sector has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of airports in the country, growing from 74 to 157 in the last 10 years.

Government data shows that out of 453 airstrips in the country, 157 are now operational. The Digi Yatra initiative has also seen significant uptake, with more than 9.1 million passengers using the facility and over 3.5 million downloads of the app in 2023.

The government is now planning to adjust regulations for major and small airports to further enhance air connectivity, especially to Tier 2 and 3 cities.

 Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu announced a 100-day action plan to drive immediate progress in India’s aviation sector. This plan is a step towards achieving the long-term vision of 'Viksit Bharat' as India approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047.

Minister Naidu assured that the ministry would prioritise passenger comfort and convenience in all policy decisions. The Modi-led government aims to create an 'ease of flying' scenario, making air travel more accessible and convenient for all citizens.

Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, noted the ministry's significant enhancements across various sectors over the past decade. This progress has boosted employment and rapidly increased the number of airports.

 "We are making remarkable progress, establishing connections with countries worldwide, and transforming the nation’s landscape. The dream of common people to travel by aeroplane is becoming a reality, which is also uplifting their economic status," said Minister Mohol.