₹30,000 crore investment planned to expand regional air connectivity; India’s airport network has grown from 74 in 2014 to 166
AHMEDABAD (Economy India): India is set to build 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme UDAN, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.
The proposed airport expansion programme will involve an estimated ₹30,000 crore investment and is aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity across the country.
Naidu made the announcement in Ahmedabad in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. The minister also inaugurated India’s third ‘hub & spoke’ aviation operation from Ahmedabad Airport.
India’s Airport Network More Than Doubles
Highlighting the rapid expansion of India’s aviation infrastructure, Naidu said the country had 74 airports in 2014, while the number has now increased to 166 airports.
According to the minister, the expansion represents a major transformation of India’s aviation network over the past 12 years.
He said the country completed work on a new airport or a new terminal approximately every 40 days during this period.
UDAN to Drive Regional Connectivity
The next phase of airport development will be undertaken under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme.
The programme is designed to improve air connectivity to smaller cities and regional centres, enabling more people to access affordable air travel while supporting local economic activity.
The proposed 100 airports are expected to further expand the reach of India’s aviation network and connect more regions with major economic centres.
Ahmedabad Emerges as a Key Aviation Hub
The inauguration of the new hub-and-spoke operation from Ahmedabad Airport is another step towards strengthening the airport’s role in India’s aviation network.
Under a hub-and-spoke model, a major airport acts as a central hub connecting passengers from smaller regional destinations through feeder routes.
The expansion can improve connectivity between regional cities while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade and business.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| New airports planned | 100 |
| Timeline | Next 10 years |
| Planned investment | ₹30,000 crore |
| Scheme | UDAN |
| Airports in 2014 | 74 |
| Airports currently | 166 |
| New hub & spoke operation | Ahmedabad |
| Civil Aviation Minister | Ram Mohan Naidu |
Aviation Infrastructure to Support Economic Growth
The planned airport expansion comes amid rapid growth in India’s aviation sector. Improved regional connectivity can help boost tourism, facilitate business travel, create employment and provide better access to markets.
For smaller cities and remote regions, new airports can also improve access to education, healthcare and commercial opportunities.
The government’s focus on airport infrastructure therefore forms part of a broader strategy to strength.
(Economy India)
