Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to questions regarding the National Airports Development Plan, including the goal of doubling the number of airports to 300 by 2047. It details the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), financial investments in airport revival, and passenger traffic projections. The Dagadarthi Airport's development status is also provided.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy:**
* New airport development requires developers (including State Governments) to identify suitable sites, conduct pre-feasibility studies, and submit proposals to the Central Government.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN):**
* Launched on October 21, 2016, to enhance regional air connectivity and affordability.
* 215 RCS airports, including water aerodromes and helipads, identified for RCS flights.
* 92 unserved/underserved airports (including heliports and water aerodromes) operationalized.
* Rs. 4500 Crore approved for revival/upgradation of airports, heliports, and water aerodromes.
* Additional Rs. 1000 Crore approved in Phase II to revive 50 more airports.
* Rs. 4604 Crore has been spent to date.
* Over 153.59 Lakhs passengers benefitted connecting 3.14 Lakhs RCS flights.
* **Dagadarthi Airport:**
* 'In-Principle' approval granted in 2016 for a Greenfield airport in Dagadarthi, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
* The concession agreement between Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) and Nellore International Airport Private Limited (NIAL) was terminated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
* **Passenger Traffic Projections (2046-47):**
* Indian airports are expected to handle approximately 3000 million passengers.
* Projected passenger split: 300 million international, 2700 million domestic.
* **International Hubs:**
* No airport in the country has been specifically designated as an international hub.
Impact Analysis:
* **Airport Developers (including State Governments):**
* *Impact:* Governed by the Greenfield Airports Policy, requiring site identification, pre-feasibility studies, and proposal submissions for new airport development.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to GFA policy guidelines for new airport development.
* **Regional Air Travelers:**
* *Impact:* Beneficiaries of enhanced regional air connectivity and affordable air travel through the RCS-UDAN scheme.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the RCS flights for regional travel.
* **Airports Authority of India (AAI), State Governments, CPSEs, and MoD (owners of unserved/underserved airports, heliports, and water aerodromes):**
* *Impact:* Eligible for funding for revival/upgradation of their facilities.
* *Action Required:* Utilize approved funding for airport upgrades.
* **Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Limited (APADCL):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for the development of Dagadarthi Airport.
* *Action Required:* Continue with airport development following the termination of the previous concession agreement.
Key Entities Referenced
National Airports Development Plan: A plan by the Government of India related to the development of airports.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and laws relating to civil aviation in India.
Airports Authority of India AAI: A statutory body responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India.
Greenfield Airports GFA Policy, 2008: A policy by the Government of India for the development of new Greenfield airports in the country.
Regional Connectivity Scheme RCS UDAN: A scheme launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enhance regional air connectivity and make air travel more affordable.
Dagadharti Airport, Andhra Pradesh: A proposed Greenfield airport to be developed in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Limited APADCL: An entity that undertook the development of the Dagadarthi Airport.
Nellore International Airport Private Limited NIAL: A private entity with which APADCL executed a concession agreement for the Dagadarthi Airport which was later terminated.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 820
th
(To be answered on the 24 July 2025)
NATIONAL AIRPORTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
820. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details of the National Airports Development Plan;
(b) the details of the plan of the Government to double the number of airports
to 300 by 2047;
(c) the details of airstrips in the country, State-wise and the plans of the
Airports Authority of India (AAI) to develop the said airstrips into full-scale
airports;
(d) the current status of the Dagadharti Airport proposed to be developed in
Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh;
(e) whether the Government has made any assessment regarding projected
passenger traffic for 2047;
(f) if so, the break-up details of the said projected passenger traffic data
between domestic and international sectors; and
(g) the details of each airport in the country that has been designated as an
international hub?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c) : 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 Pre-feasibility Study conducted for the construction of the airport and
submit a proposal to the Central Government.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme
(RCS) - UDAN on October 21, 2016, with the objective of enhancing regional
air connectivity and making air travel more affordable for the general public
and promoting regional development. 215 RCS airports including 25 water
aerodromes & 64 Helipads have been identified for operation of RCS flights.92 unserved and underserved airports (including 15 heliports & 02 water
aerodromes) have been operationalized across the country.
The Government of India approved Rs.4500 Crore for the
revival/upgradation of unserved and underserved airports, heliports, and
water aerodromes owned by AAI, State Govt., CPSEs, and MoD.
Additionally, Rs.1000 Crore has also been approved in Phase-II to revive 50
more airports. Rs.4604 Crore has been spent to date.
More than 153.59 Lakhs passengers benefitted connecting 3.14 Lakhs RCS
flights operated under the scheme. This aligns with the vision of the
Government for Viksit Bharat by 2047.
(d): Gol has granted 'In-Principle' approval in 2016 for construction of the
Greenfield airport, Dagadarthi (Nellore), Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh
Airport Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) has undertaken the
development of the airport. Concession agreement was executed between
APADCL and Nellore International Airport Private Limited (NIAL) in 2018,
which was later terminated by Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP).
(e) & (f): The Indian airports taken together are expected to handle about
3000 million Passengers with 300 million international passengers and 2700
million domestic passengers by 2046-47.
(g): No airport in the country has been specifically designated as an
international hub.
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