India to Build 100 New Airports with ₹30,000 Cr Investment
By Business Desk
India plans to construct 100 new airports by FY2036 with a ₹30,000 crore investment, expanding regional air connectivity under the modified UDAN scheme.
India is set to construct 100 new airports over the next decade, backed by an estimated outlay of Rs 30,000 crore. This ambitious expansion falls under the modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme, which the Union Cabinet has approved for a 10-year period.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the initiative, highlighting the scheme’s duration from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36. The plan aims to significantly enhance air travel accessibility across the nation, extending services beyond major metropolitan areas.
Expanding India’s Aviation Network
The country has already seen substantial growth in its aviation infrastructure. The number of operational airports in India has risen from 74 in 2014 to 166 currently, demonstrating a rapid expansion.
This growth rate translates to roughly a new airport or terminal completed every 40 days over the past 12 years. The current expansion focuses on meeting the increasing demand for air travel from diverse regions.
- Target Regions: Tier-2 cities
- Target Regions: Tier-3 cities
- Target Regions: Himalayan regions
- Target Regions: Islands like Lakshadweep and Andaman
The Hub & Spoke Model for Global Connectivity
Minister Naidu also inaugurated India’s third ‘hub & spoke’ operations from Ahmedabad airport. This strategic model is designed to transform India into a global aviation hub, offering seamless international connectivity to passengers nationwide through designated Indian hub airports.
Previous implementations of this model in Varanasi and Amritsar have garnered positive responses. The ‘hub & spoke’ system is crucial for effectively linking the expanding domestic airport network with international routes.
Key Investment and Growth Figures
- New Airports Planned: 100
- Investment Outlay: Rs 30,000 crore
- Scheme Duration: 10 years (FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36)
- Airports in 2014: 74
- Airports Currently: 166
- New Airport/Terminal Rate: Roughly every 40 days over the last 12 years
The civil aviation sector is recognized as India’s fastest-growing sector, contributing significantly to economic activity and generating employment across various industries. This continued investment underscores its strategic importance for national development.