• Source:JND
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In a move to enhance air connectivity across India, the government has announced plans to construct 29 greenfield airports over the next two decades. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has already completed studies for approximately 10 new airports, aiming to connect smaller cities to international routes and improve global accessibility.

This initiative is expected to not only enhance travel options for residents of smaller towns but also stimulate economic growth in these regions. According to a report by The Mint, Gujarat leads the way with plans for nine new airports, followed by Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Additionally, one airport will be built in each of 13 other states.

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The government’s strategy involves upgrading existing airports in smaller cities under a five-year plan, alongside planning new airports in major metro areas where current facilities are nearing capacity. An official stated, “We plan to expand and modernise most airports to accommodate larger aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320, preparing them for direct international flights.”

Building substantial airports in smaller cities is deemed essential for their long-term development. Officials have noted that merely upgrading existing facilities is insufficient given the increasing passenger traffic. Thus, constructing new greenfield airports is seen as a necessary response to growing demand.

While details regarding the costs and timelines for these projects remain undisclosed, experts believe that the planning should focus on actual passenger forecasts rather than political motivations. Mark Martin, Founder and CEO of Martin Consulting, stated the importance of basing airport development on demand, cautioning against decisions driven by electoral agendas.

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In the wake of the pandemic, smaller cities have experienced a surge in passenger numbers, largely due to the government’s ‘UDAN’ scheme, which subsidises flights to under-served areas. Some airports have reported a six-fold increase in traffic this fiscal year, starting from a smaller base. Since its launch in 2017, the scheme has significantly boosted air travel demand in smaller cities, increasing the number of domestic routes from 215 in 2014 to 540 by April 2024, with a goal of reaching 1,000 routes.

In addition to the new greenfield airports, expansions are underway in metro cities, including the Jewar Airport in Noida and the Navi Mumbai Airport, to meet rising demand. Estimates indicate that 14 cities may soon require second or third airports, with planning already advanced for additional facilities in Chennai and Pune. Cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru might even need a third airport by 2047, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities such as Srinagar, Chandigarh and Dehradun may require new airports in the next 10 to 20 years.