50 New Airports in Five Years, 350 by 2047: India’s Ambitious Aviation Take-Off Plan

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India is gearing up for a sweeping expansion of its aviation infrastructure, with plans to construct nearly 350 airports by 2047, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The announcement underscores the government’s long-term ambition under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ programme, which aims to transform India into a fully developed economy by the centenary year of its Independence.

According to the minister, the roadmap includes building 50 new airports over the next five years, a move expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, boost economic activity, and support the rapid growth of India’s aviation market.

From 74 Airports to 164: A Decade of Rapid Growth



Highlighting the sector’s transformation, Naidu pointed to the dramatic rise in the number of operational airports across the country. “From 74 airports in 2014, we have grown to 164 today,” he said, reflecting a more than twofold expansion in just over a decade.

This growth, the minister stressed, did not occur organically. Instead, it was the result of deliberate policy-making, sustained capital infusion, and a strong push to democratise air travel. Flagship initiatives to expand regional connectivity have helped smaller cities and towns get linked to the national aviation grid, bringing first-time flyers into the system.

World’s Third-Largest Domestic Aviation Market



India’s aviation sector has also achieved a major global milestone. Naidu said the country is now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, a position earned through consistent double-digit growth rather than chance.

“We are growing at a rate of over 10–12 per cent every year in civil aviation,” he noted, adding that demand for air travel continues to rise as incomes increase and connectivity improves. This sustained expansion has placed India at the centre of global aviation planning and investment discussions.

Unprecedented Aircraft Orders Signal Confidence

One of the strongest indicators of confidence in India’s aviation future is the scale of aircraft orders placed by Indian carriers. Naidu revealed that India currently has nearly 1,700 aircraft on order, a volume unmatched by any other country.

These orders reflect expectations of long-term passenger growth and signal the industry’s readiness to expand capacity in line with infrastructure development. The surge in fleet expansion is also expected to create jobs across aviation-linked sectors, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), airport services, and aerospace manufacturing.

Aligning Aviation Growth with Viksit Bharat 2047

The push to build up to 350 airports by 2047 is closely aligned with the broader Viksit Bharat vision. Expanded aviation infrastructure is seen as a key enabler for trade, tourism, investment, and balanced regional development.

New airports, especially in underserved and remote regions, are expected to shorten travel times, integrate regional economies with national and global markets, and support sectors such as logistics, healthcare, and education. The government views aviation not merely as a transport service but as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.

States Leverage Davos for Investment Outreach

India’s aviation push is unfolding alongside proactive efforts by several states to attract global investment. States such as Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam are using the Davos platform to engage with international corporations, investors, and financial institutions.

Officials from Madhya Pradesh held meetings with global industry leaders from Sri Lanka, Japan, and Europe to explore opportunities across infrastructure and allied sectors. Karnataka, meanwhile, saw its Commerce and Industries Minister M B Patil lead strategic discussions focused on infrastructure expansion and industrial development, areas closely linked with improved air connectivity.

A Runway to the Future

As India positions itself as a global aviation powerhouse, the planned expansion from 164 airports today to 350 by 2047 represents more than just physical infrastructure growth. It signals a strategic bet on mobility, connectivity, and economic integration as pillars of national development.

With robust policy support, rising passenger demand, and strong investor interest, India’s aviation sector appears poised for a long take-off—one that could reshape how the country moves, trades, and connects with the world in the decades ahead.

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