Parliament Question: Greenfield Airports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3026 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6th August 2026 ) GREENFIELD AIRPORTS 3026. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the number of Greenfield airports currently under development in various States of the country and the expected timeline fixed for commencement of their operations; (b) the details of the measures being taken by the Government to ensure sustainable aviation practices including integration of solar power capacity and sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure at newly developed airports in the country, particularly in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh; and (c) the details of the employment opportunities likely to be generated and economic benefits likely to accrue from these airport projects, State-wise, particularly for Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a): Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted 'In-Principle' approval for setting up of 25 Greenfield Airports in various states of the country. Out of these, 14 Greenfield airports have been operationalised. The timeline for construction of airports depends upon various factors such as land acquisition, mandatory clearances, removal of obstacles, financial closure etc. (b): MoCA has advised all State Governments/UTs and Greenfield airport developers to work towards achieving Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero emissions. This includes usage of renewable energy including solar energy / power. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a drop-in fuel and does not require any dedicated airport infrastructure for its use. SAF is blended with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) at the refinery level in accordance with the applicable fuel specifications and is supplied to airports through the existing aviation fuel supply chain.(c): Airports have emerged as a nucleus of economic activities and have multiplier effect on the economy of the State. Development of airports lead 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. An International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) study shows that air connectivity has an economic multiplier of 3.25 and employment multiplier of 6.1. ******