Government targets 400 airports by 2047 as air travel soars

India’s civil aviation ministry has set an ambitious target to develop 400 airports across the country by 2047. The move comes as the nation’s air‑travel demand continues to outstrip the growth of airline capacity.

In 2014, India operated just 74 airports. Today that figure has risen to more than 166, reflecting a rapid expansion of the airport network. The current pipeline includes 66 airports under construction, and the government plans to add another 100 new airports over the next decade.

The expansion is intended to strengthen connectivity for a larger share of the population, linking remote towns and major cities alike to both domestic and international routes. This infrastructure push is part of a broader strategy to position India as the world’s third‑largest overall aviation market.