**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 2185 in the Lok Sabha regarding the development of airports and airstrips in India since 2014. The Minister of Civil Aviation provides data on the number of new and redeveloped airports, as well as details on non-operational airports, reasons for operational withdrawals, and staffing levels as of February 1, 2026. The question was to be answered on February 12th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Airport Development Since 2014:**
* 13 Greenfield Airports have been developed and operationalized.
* 95 unserved and underserved airports (including 17 heliports and 2 water aerodromes) have been developed and operationalized under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN.
* **Non-Operational Airports:**
* 15 airports are currently non-operational.
* Reasons for non-operation include:
* Completion of the three-year concession period under UDAN.
* Poor visibility conditions.
* Daytime runway restrictions at Visual Flight Rules (VFR) only airports.
* Shortage of aircraft.
* Leasing issues.
* Temporary discontinuation by airlines.
* Novation of routes.
* Low passenger load factors.
* **Staffing at Non-Operational Airports (as of 01.02.2026):**
* Details of state-wise and airport-wise number of security personnel and airport staff deployed at non-operational airports are listed in Annexure-I
* Security Personnel: CISF deployed / APSU / State Police deployed
* Airport Staff: AAI Manpower Posted
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Civil Aviation**
* **Impact:** Required to compile and provide detailed responses to parliamentary questions regarding airport development and operational status.
* **Action Required:** Ensure continued monitoring of airport operations and staffing levels, address issues contributing to non-operational status, and maintain accurate records for future parliamentary inquiries.
**Airport Authority of India**
* **Impact:** Responsible for operationalising, maintaining, and managing the airports, as well as, providing manpower
* **Action Required:** Address issues like, poor visibility, daytime runway restrictions, shortage of aircrafts, novation of routes and low passenger load factors.
**Airlines and Carriers**
* **Impact:** Operational decisions and fleet management are affected by the availability and operational status of airports.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Authority of India to improve operations.
**Airport Security Personnel**
* **Impact:** Deployment is affected by the non-operational status of airports.
* **Action Required:** Re-evaluate and re-deploy security personnel based on the operational status of airports.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik): Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) aimed at developing regional airports and improving air connectivity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where questions regarding airport development were raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2185
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS AND AIRSTRIPS
2185. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of new airports built and the number of existing airstrips redeveloped
in the country since 2014;
(b) the number of airports and airstrips out of the above airports and airstrips stopped
operations for a period exceeding six months, date and State-wise;
(c) the primary reasons for withdrawal of operations by carriers; and
(d) the number of security personnel and airport staff currently on duty at such airports,
airport-wise?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): 13 Greenfield Airports have been developed and operationalised in the country
since 2014. Under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam
Nagrik), 95 unserved and underserved airports (including 17 heliports & 02 water
aerodromes) have been developed and operationalised.
(b) to (d): Currently, 15 airports are non-operational due to factors such as completion
of the three-year concession period under UDAN, poor visibility conditions, daytime
runway restrictions at Visual Flight Rules (VFR) only airports, shortage of aircraft,
leasing issues, temporary discontinuation by airlines, novation of routes and low
passenger load factors.
State-wise, Airport-wise details of such airports alongwith number of security
personnel and airport staff deployed there is at Annexure-I.
******Annexure-I
Statement referred in reply of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2185 for
answer on 12.02.2026
State-wise and Airport-wise Details of Non-Operational Airports alongwith
number of Security Personnel and Airport Staff deployed (as on 01.02.2026)
Security Personnel Airport Staff
State Airport CISF APSU / State AAI Manpower
Deployed Police Posted
Deployed
Punjab Pathankot — 40 2
Sikkim Pakyong — 53 19
Kushinagar — 126 18
Aligarh — 74 8
Uttar Azamgarh — 86 7
Pradesh
Chitrakoot — 59 8
Shravasti — 91 7
Moradabad — 73 8
Gujarat Bhavnagar 97 — 35
Punjab Ludhiana — 30 20
Madhya Datia — 64 8
Pradesh
Karnataka Kalaburagi — 71 27
Himachal Shimla 85 — 21
Pradesh
West Bengal Cooch — 49 14
Behar
Chhattisgarh Ambikapur — 57 5