New Delhi: India’s aviation infrastructure has reached a significant milestone, with the combined annual passenger handling capacity of airports across the country surpassing 580 million, reflecting sustained investments in airport expansion and modernization.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the increase has been driven by continuous infrastructure development undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators. These projects are planned in line with rising air traffic, operational needs, airline demand, financial feasibility and technical assessments.
According to the minister, Indian airports are now capable of handling more than 580 million passengers annually, while actual passenger traffic during the 2025-26 financial year stood at approximately 420 million. The gap between current traffic and available capacity is expected to accommodate future growth in domestic and international air travel.
India currently has 166 operational airports, highlighting the rapid expansion of the country’s aviation network in recent years. To further improve regional connectivity and support increasing passenger demand, the government has granted in-principle approval for 25 greenfield airports, of which 14 have already become operational.
The development aligns with the government’s broader objective of strengthening aviation infrastructure, improving connectivity to underserved regions and supporting economic growth through enhanced transport facilities.
In a separate written reply, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said the country currently has 11 scheduled and scheduled commuter airlines operating services. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a supportive policy environment that enables existing airlines to expand while encouraging new operators to enter the market.
The minister also highlighted the aggressive fleet expansion plans of Indian carriers. At present, domestic airlines operate 860 aircraft, while cumulative orders for 2,056 additional aircraft have been placed with manufacturers. So far, 427 aircraft have been delivered, with the remaining scheduled to join airline fleets over the coming years.
Naidu explained that aircraft induction schedules depend on multiple factors, including production capacity, global supply chain conditions, aircraft availability and each airline’s commercial strategy and market requirements.
The simultaneous expansion of airport infrastructure and airline fleets is expected to significantly boost India’s aviation sector, enabling it to meet rising passenger demand, improve connectivity and strengthen its position as one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets.