Parliament Question: Norms for Setting up of New Airports

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6358 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) NORMS FOR SETTING UP OF NEW AIRPORTS 6358. DR. SHASHI THAROOR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the list of cities proposed to have multiple airports along with the details of the parameters adopted for identification of saturated airports and the current status of approvals in this regard; (b) whether the Government has taken any policy decision to relax or dilute the 150-km radius norm for setting up greenfield airports once the existing airport capacity is deemed to have saturated and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has received any objections from existing airport operators to the setting up of a second airport within a 150-km radius and if so, the policy framework governing the Government's response to such objections; (d) whether any feasibility studies and traffic demand assessments have been conducted to support these proposals and if so, the key findings thereof, city-wise; and (e) the regulatory framework for allocation of air traffic and airline operations between multiple airports within the same city along with the measures being taken to ensure passenger convenience and financial viability of existing airports? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): As per Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, Government of India (GoI) grants requisite approvals for setting up of Greenfield airports, where development of such airports are undertaken based on traffic forecast, commercial feasibility, operational requirements, demand from airlines etc. The responsibility for implementation of the Greenfield airport projects lie with the airport developer concerned. ; As per the policy, no greenfield airport is allowed within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of an existing civilian airport. However, the same may be allowed after carrying out the impact assessment on the existing civilian airport(s) on a case to case basis. ; ; Additionally, airports under Public Private Partnership (PPP) are governed by their respective Concession Agreements (CA) etc. ; Government has given approval for setting up of second airport in Noida (Jewar) near Delhi Airport, Navi Mumbai near Mumbai Airport , Dholera near Ahmedabad Airport, Mopa nearDabolim, Goa Airport, Puri near Bhubaneswar airport and Parandur near Chennai airport, within 150 kilometres of existing airports. ; (e): The distribution of traffic between two Airports is demand driven and airlines plan their schedule based on their company policy and traffic at the Airports. With the repeal of Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type, free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate subject to compliance of Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) issued by the Government and flight schedules approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). ******