The aviation sector in India is currently experiencing a transformative phase, fuelled by its status as home to the world's fastest-growing air passenger market. We are positioned to become the third-largest aviation market globally, following China and the USA. By the end of 2030, domestic air passenger traffic is projected to reach 300 million. Recognizing this opportunity, the government has allocated approximately $11 billion for the construction of new airports and the refurbishment of existing ones. India's airport infrastructure has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. The number of operational airports has surged from 70 to 149, reflecting a growing demand for air travel. In recent years, especially post-COVID, passenger traffic has shown a robust recovery. The Indian aviation sector was catering to approximately 138.9 million domestic passengers in May of 2024, significantly higher by around 1 % than pre-COVID levels. The combination of increasing passenger traffic and supportive government policies positions India's aviation sector for continued growth and modernization. Government initiatives, particularly the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, have played a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity. This scheme aims to make air travel affordable and widespread, significantly impacting tier-2 and tier-3 cities by increasing their access to air transport. The aviation infrastructure market in India is poised for significant growth, projected to reach $ 121 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. This expansion is underpinned by substantial investments from both government and private sectors, with an estimated contribution of around $ 25 billion expected by 2027. The active involvement of private entities through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is essential, as it introduces expertise and efficiency into airport operations, thereby enhancing service quality and operational effectiveness. These investments if done right in long term has the potential to contribute up to $1 trillion annually to the Indian economy by 2043. Looking ahead, India will require over 2,800 new commercial airplanes over the next 20 years to meet this demand. Plans are underway to increase the number of operational airports to 200 and expand the aircraft fleet to 2,000, ensuring that the aviation sector can accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger traffic. However, this ambitious expansion faces challenges, including land scarcity and the need for substantial investment—estimated at over $ 40 billion by 2047. Existing airports are nearing saturation, particularly in metropolitan areas, highlighting the urgent need for new facilities and upgrades to current infrastructure. The development and expansion of airports will also contribute to solving one of the major problems of unemployment in India. It is expected that by this year 3,50,000 will be employed directly in the aviation and aeronautical manufacturing sector. The strategic investments and policies being implemented today will lay the groundwork for a resilient and efficient aviation sector that can support India's aspirations as a global aviation powerhouse. With continued focus on infrastructure development, India is poised to harness the full potential of its aviation sector, driving economic growth and enhancing connectivity for millions of citizens.
