India to reach 300 airports by 2047 amid rising passenger demand

15 Jul 2024 CW Team

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)

India aims to more than double its number of airports to 300 by 2047, driven by an expected eightfold surge in passenger traffic, according to a draft plan by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This ambitious expansion will involve upgrading existing airstrips into fully operational airports and constructing new ones from the ground up. 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)

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..