The number of operational airports in India has more than doubled, rising from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, with the government aiming to increase this figure to 350-400 by 2047, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Sunday.
Domestic air travel has also seen significant growth over the past decade, with passenger numbers more than doubling as Indian airlines continue to expand their fleets. India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the United States and China.
According to ministry data, total air passengers handled at Indian airports reached 376 million in FY24, reflecting a 15% year-on-year growth. “The industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a vibrant and competitive sector. This shift has positioned India as a key player in the global aviation ecosystem,” the ministry said.
Speaking at the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s advancements in aviation infrastructure and technology, emphasising the need to make the sector more inclusive for women.
He noted that 15% of India’s pilots are women, significantly higher than the global average of 5%, and mentioned an advisory to further increase this number.
The Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), launched in 2016, has also played a major role in boosting the civil aviation industry by connecting unserved and underserved airports. Over 1.43 crore passengers have benefitted from the scheme, with more than 280,000 flights operating under UDAN to date.
The scheme has contributed to the creation of four new airlines in the past seven years, and the government has allocated around Rs 4,500 crore for airport development under the programme. Of this, Rs 3,751 crore has been utilised since its inception, according to the ministry.
India’s aviation sector is on a transformative path, driven by infrastructure development, regional connectivity, and sustainability initiatives.
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