Parliament Question: Development of Additional Airports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6400 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL AIRPORTS 6400. DR. LATA WANKHEDE SHRI RAJESH VERMA SHRI ARUN BHARTI SMT SHAMBHAVI DR. D. PURANDESWARI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop fifty additional airports during the next five years, if so, the details thereof including locations, funding sources and implementation timelines and if not, the reasons therefor; (b) the details and the objectives of this expansion drive with respect to enhancing connectivity, regional development and economic opportunities; (c) whether any assessment has been made of the potential real estate, employment and industrial opportunities arising from airport infrastructure growth, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (d) the measures proposed to be taken to ensure environmental safeguards, transparency in land acquisition and stakeholder consultations; and (e) the expected impact of the airport development programme on tourism, logistics and regional investment, particularly in Sagar, Khagaria, Jamui, Samastipur and Rajahmundry Lok Sabha Constituencies? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (e): Government constantly endeavours to get more airports developed and operationalised to cater to the growing aspirations of people for air travel. In this regard, the Government is following a multi pronged approach of developing Greenfield Airports, developing existing airstrips through Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), and initiatives for airport development by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other airport operators. As a result, the total number of operational airports in the country has increased to 164 (as on 28.02.2026) including Greenfield Airports/helipads/Water Aerodromes. RCS-UDAN is funded through budgetary support. ; Government has also launched Modified UDAN Scheme to enhance regional connectivity to 120 new destinations in the next 10 years. ;;Airport operators/developers are responsible for implementation of the airport projects including obtaining environmental clearance; land acquisition, rehabilitation & resettlement etc. in consultation with stakeholders concerned, adhering to the extant legal provisions in this regard. Airports have emerged as a nucleus of economic activities and have multiplier effect on the economy of the State. The linkage between the Civil Aviation Sector and Economic Growth is well recognised. Development of airports leads to increase in passenger movements, tourism development, employment generation and augmentation in circle rates of land valuation leading to enhanced collection of various taxes/stamp duties etc., in the respective State and in the overall development of the Country. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) study shows that the air connectivity has an economic multiplier of 3.25 and employment multiplier of 6.1.; ******