Expansion plans: - Development of Airstrips: Approximately 70 airstrips are slated for development into airports capable of accommodating narrow-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Additionally, around 40 airstrips may be upgraded to serve smaller aircraft. - New Greenfield Airports: In cases where an airstrip cannot be developed or where no civilian airport exists within a 50-kilometer radius, new greenfield airports will be considered.

Infrastructure: - Current Operational Airports: India currently has 138 operational airports. - Passenger Growth Projections: The draft National Airports Development Plan by the AAI expects annual passenger numbers to surge significantly, reaching between 3 billion and 3.5 billion by 2047, up from the current 376 million. International traffic is projected to constitute around 10-12% of this total. ?This is likely to include a mix of greenfield airports and also development of existing civil enclaves into full-fledged operational airports,? said an official. ?These estimates are based on various assumptions and dynamic factors. This is a preliminary assessment and the numbers can change later if the scenario changes due to any reason,? stated another official.

Proposed upgrades: The draft suggests transforming airstrips in locations such as Mandvi (Gujarat), Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Tura (Meghalaya), and Chhindwara (Madhya Pradesh) into airports suitable for small aircraft operations. Additionally, new greenfield airports are proposed for Kota (Rajasthan), Parandur (Tamil Nadu), Kottayam (Kerala), Puri (Odisha), Purandar (Maharashtra), and in the Car Nicobar and Minicoy islands in the Andaman and Nicobar.

Global comparison: The AAI's initial evaluation examined airport connectivity in the US and China, noting that both countries have larger air travel markets. In 2019, China averaged 0.47 trips per person annually with a per capita income of $10,144, while the US reported 1.2-1.3 trips per person annually with a GDP per capita of around $20,000. By 2047, with an estimated per capita income of $18,000-20,000, India is projected to achieve an average of one trip per person annually, potentially accommodating over 3 billion passengers.

This extensive development plan highlights India's commitment to enhancing its aviation infrastructure to meet the rising demand and ensure robust connectivity across the nation. (Source: BS)