India Plans Expansion to 350 Airports by 2047, Says Minister Ram Mohan

India’s civil aviation sector is set for a massive boost as the country aims to more than double its airport infrastructure over the next two decades. Minister for Civil Aviation Ram Mohan today announced that India currently has 162 operational airports, and the government’s long-term vision is to increase this number to 350 airports by 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India’s independence.  

Speaking at an industry event, Minister Ram Mohan emphasized that aviation is not just about travel convenience, but also about driving economic growth, employment generation, and regional connectivity. The proposed expansion will align with India’s economic roadmap toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.  

“From 162 airports today, our goal is to have 350 airports operational by 2047. This growth will ensure that every Indian city, small or big, becomes part of the national aviation map,” the Minister said.  

The ambitious target reflects India’s rapidly growing air travel demand. In the past decade, the country has witnessed a sharp rise in domestic passenger traffic and increasing participation of low-cost carriers. Government initiatives like UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) have already connected several regional towns to metros, contributing to both tourism and trade.  

Experts believe that building more airports will:  

• Improve access to tier-2 and tier-3 cities.  
• Strengthen cargo and logistics networks for exports.  
• Boost regional tourism and local economies.  
• Support India’s sustainable aviation goals, with new airports built on modern, eco-friendly designs.  

Currently, India is the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the U.S. and China. With a young working population, increased disposable incomes, and government push toward connectivity, India’s air passenger traffic is expected to grow at 8 to 10% annually over the next two decades.  

Infrastructure upgrades, such as the modernization of metro airports, construction of greenfield airports, and public-private partnerships (PPP) in aviation infrastructure, are already underway.  

The government envisions that by 2047, airports will not just serve as travel hubs, but also as economic growth centers, with cluster developments around them, including aerotropic townships, logistics parks, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) hubs.  

While challenges remain such as high infrastructure costs, environmental concerns, and land acquisition hurdles the Civil Aviation Ministry maintains that strategic planning and partnerships with private players will make this expansion achievable.