India’s aviation sector is set for a massive transformation, with the government planning to invest over Rs 92,000 crore in the construction of new airports and the expansion of existing ones.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the ambitious goal of having 200 operational airports by 2025, with an additional 200 expected over the next two decades. The expansion is aimed at accommodating the country's growing demand for air travel, driven by its large population and increasing economic activity.
At an event hosted by the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS), Naidu stressed the unprecedented scale of the airport infrastructure expansion. From the development of greenfield airports in underserved regions to major modernization projects in metro hubs, the country is working rapidly to meet its targets. This is part of a broader effort to enhance connectivity across India’s vast geographic landscape and address the increasing passenger traffic.
India’s airlines have also expanded their capacity significantly, adding nearly 9 per cent more seats this year, totaling 240 million seats across domestic and international routes. Naidu projected even greater growth, pointing out that with a population of 1.4 billion and a rising middle class, air traffic in India is poised for exponential expansion in the years ahead.
To meet this surge in demand, airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa have placed large orders with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing, with the total order book expected to reach around 2,000 planes by March 2025.
However, the sector faces challenges, including issues with engine supplier Pratt & Whitney (PW), whose engine faults have grounded more than 70 IndiGo aircraft. Go First, another Indian airline, filed for bankruptcy last year, citing problems with PW engines that power its Airbus A320 neo fleet.
Naidu acknowledged the global nature of the issue and assured that the government is in close talks with the engine manufacturer to expedite maintenance and repair efforts. He stressed the urgency of getting the grounded planes back in service to enhance connectivity and bring down airfare prices in an increasingly competitive market.
