Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the growth of aviation infrastructure in India. It details the number of operational airports, passenger traffic, steps to improve accessibility, modernization efforts, and proposed airport developments. The report covers data from the year 2024-25 and initiatives since 2016, with a focus on the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN).
Key Points / Main Content:
Operational Status and Growth:
* India has 162 operational airports, including heliports and water aerodromes.
* In 2024-25, Indian airports handled 412 million passengers (77 million international, 335 million domestic), a 9% year-on-year growth.
* Scheduled Indian operators flew 835 domestic and 251 international routes during this period.
Accessibility and Affordability:
* The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), launched in 2016, aims to enhance regional air connectivity and affordability.
* Airfares on RCS routes with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) are capped at affordable rates.
* 637 RCS routes have been operationalized, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports (including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes).
Infrastructure Modernization and Expansion:
* Modernization and expansion of airport infrastructure are continuous processes.
* AAI and its PPP partners have invested over Rs. 96,000 crore from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25.
New Airport Development:
* The Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 guides the development of new airports.
* The government has not received any proposals for Greenfield airports at Palghar (Maharashtra) or Pachmarhi/Matkuli (Madhya Pradesh).
Impact Analysis:
Airports Authority of India (AAI) and PPP Partners:
* Impact: Responsible for continuous modernization and expansion of airport infrastructure.
* Action Required: Continue infrastructure development based on traffic demand, viability, land availability, operational requirements, and airline demand.
Airport Developers and State Governments:
* Impact: Can propose new Greenfield airports under the GFA Policy, 2008.
* Action Required: Identify suitable sites, conduct pre-feasibility studies, and submit proposals to the Central Government for new airport developments.
General Public:
* Impact: Benefits from improved regional air connectivity and affordable air travel through the RCS-UDAN scheme.
* Action Required: Utilize the enhanced connectivity and affordable air travel options provided by the scheme.
Ministry of Civil Aviation:
* Impact: Oversees and manages the growth and development of aviation infrastructure in the country.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor and support the growth of the aviation sector through policies like RCS-UDAN and the GFA Policy, 2008.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector.
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: The Minister of Civil Aviation who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): An organisation responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A government scheme launched in 2016 to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel more affordable.
Palghar district of Maharashtra: A district in the state of Maharashtra, India, where the development of a new airport was proposed.
Pachmarhi, Matkuli of Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh: Tourist places in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh, India, where the development of a new airport was proposed.
Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008: A policy by the Government of India for the development of new Greenfield airports in the country.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 78
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
GROWTH OF AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE
*78. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU
SHRI DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of operational airports, heliports and water aerodromes in the
country and the status of their growth;
(b) the number of operational routes and the number of passengers travelled
during the year 2024-25;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to make air travel more accessible and
economical to the common man;
(d) the initiatives undertaken by the Government to modernise and expand
airport infrastructure in line with global standards across the country, State-
wise; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to develop new airports at Palghar
district of Maharashtra and Pachmarhi, Matkuli tourist places in
Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh during the next five years and if
so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN
RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 78 FOR ANSWER
ON 24.07.2025 REGARDING "GROWTH OF AVIATION
INFRASTRUCTURE" BY SHRI KHAGEN MURMU AND SHRI
DARSHAN SINGH CHOUDHARY.
(a) & (b): At present, there are 162 operational airports, including heliports
and water aerodromes, in the country. During the year 2024-25, Indian
airports recorded a total passenger traffic of 412 million, including 77 million
international and 335 million domestic passengers, marking a 9% year-on-
year growth. During this period, scheduled Indian operators operated on 835
domestic and 251 international routes.
(c): In 2016 Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Regional Connectivity
Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), with the objective of
enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel more affordable for
the general public and promoting regional development. The Scheme ensures
affordability as the airfares on the seats on which Viability Gap Funding
(VGF) is provided are capped at affordable rates, as determined by the
government. Since the commencement of the scheme, 637 RCS routes have
been operationalised, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports,
including 15 heliports and 2 water aerodromes.
(d): Modernisation and expansion of infrastructure facilities at existing
airports is a continuous process undertaken by the Airports Authority of
India (AAI) or the concerned airport operators/developers, depending on
traffic demand, commercial viability, land availability, operational
requirements for aircraft safety, and demand from airlines. To strengthen the
aviation sector in the country, AAI, along with its PPP partners, has incurred
a cumulative CAPEX exceeding Rs.96,000 crore during FY 2019-20 to FY
2024-25.
(e): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA)
Policy, 2008 for development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As
per the policy, if any Airport developer including the State Government
desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and
get the Prefeasibility study conducted for construction of airport and submit a
proposal to the Central Government.
GoI has not received any proposal seeking approval under the Greenfield
Airports Policy, 2008, for the construction of a Greenfield airport at Palghar
in Maharashtra or at Pachmarhi or Matkuli in Madhya Pradesh, either from
the concerned State Government or any airport developer.
*****