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India aims to more than double its number of airports to 300 by 2047, driven by an expected eightfold surge in passenger traffic. According to the media reports, this ambitious plan, outlined in a draft by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), highlights significant infrastructure developments to meet growing travel demands.
Expansion and Upgrades
The proposed expansion involves both upgrading existing airstrips and constructing new airports. About 70 airstrips are earmarked for development to accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
Additionally, around 40 airstrips may be upgraded for smaller aircraft. For regions lacking suitable airstrips or where no civilian airport exists within a 50-kilometer radius, the plan includes the construction of new greenfield airports.
Current State and Future Projections
Presently, India has 138 operational airports. According to the AAI’s draft National Airports Development Plan, annual passenger numbers are expected to soar to between 3 billion and 3.5 billion by 2047, a substantial increase from the current 376 million.
The plan anticipates that international traffic will comprise 10-12% of this total, while domestic passenger figures are calculated to include both arrivals and departures, unlike international passengers who are counted only once.
Proposed Upgrades and New Airports
The plan identifies several airstrips for potential upgrades to support small aircraft operations. These include Mandvi in Gujarat, Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Tura in Meghalaya, and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.
Additionally, the establishment of new greenfield airports is proposed for locations such as Kota in Rajasthan, Parandur in Tamil Nadu, Kottayam in Kerala, Puri in Odisha, and Purandar in Maharashtra. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also considered for new airports on Car Nicobar and Minicoy islands.
Global Air Traffic Market Analysis
The AAI’s evaluation also considers the airport connectivity and travel trends in the US and China, both of which have larger air travel markets. In 2019, China averaged 0.47 trips per person annually with a per capita income of $10,144, while the US reported 1.2-1.3 trips per person annually with a GDP per capita of around $20,000.
Looking ahead to 2047, with an estimated per capita income of $18,000-20,000, India is projected to reach an average of one trip per person annually, potentially accommodating over 3 billion passengers.
