India's Airport Push To Continue In 2024: Here Are The Details

India is seeing a big boost in building new airports as the government gears up to open eight new ones and start building 13 more by March.

The exciting plan involves a significant investment of about Rs 8,100 crore.

On 30 December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, followed by the unveiling of a new terminal building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport on 2 January this year.

In The Pipeline

Eight more airports await inauguration within the next two months. Uttar Pradesh leads with five, trailed closely by two in Madhya Pradesh and one in Punjab. Additionally, the expansion plan includes the introduction of 13 new terminal buildings across various states.

Uttar Pradesh is a focal point, with airports scheduled for inauguration in Moradabad, Aligarh, Azamgarh, Shravasti and Chitrakoot. The Jewar airport's strategic positioning in the National Capital Region (NCR) adds significant importance to the overall plan, with the Civil Aviation Ministry projecting the first trial flight at Jewar by March.

Following the ground-breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2021, the first phase of the airport is expected to become operational before its scheduled deadline of 29 September 2024.

Simultaneously, foundation stone-laying ceremonies for airports in Jammu, Hubballi, Belgaum, and Kadapa are scheduled for March. The much-anticipated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) is also expected to be inaugurated by December 2024, contributing to India's ambitious aviation agenda.

Twin-Airport Model

Twin airports are a special case in which two different airports serve neighbouring cities or narrowly separated urban areas.

Looking ahead to 2024, the Noida International Airport and Navi Mumbai Airport are set to be inaugurated, addressing the escalating demand in the National Capital Region and Mumbai.

With the rapid rise in air traffic, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has now plans to develop six ‘Twin City' airports by 2030 in order to decongest existing airports located at major cities.

In nine years, the number of airports in India has increased from 74 to 148.

Why It Matters

The surge in airport infrastructure development corresponds with a significant uptick in domestic airline passengers, with traffic data reflecting a record-breaking 503.92 lakh passengers in 2023, marking a substantial annual growth of 42.85 per cent compared to the previous year's 352.75 lakh passengers.

India's pursuit of airport development marks a transformative phase, positioning the nation as a key player in the global aviation landscape.

The targets set by the government underscore a vision that extends beyond mere infrastructure expansion, aiming to propel India into the forefront of the world's aviation markets by 2047.