Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are gearing up to double the airport count to 300, as part of Vision 2047. Currently, India has 138 operational airports in the country but the eightfold increase in air passenger traffic is likely to put pressure on the present infrastructure.
AAI projects the yearly air passenger traffic to rise from 376 million to 3-3.5 billion by 2047. Keeping these figures in view, the ministry has drafted plans to increase the number of airports to cater domestic and international passengers, as per a report by Mint.
"This is likely to include a mix of greenfield airports and also development of existing civil enclaves into full-fledged operational airports," said an AAI official to the Mint.
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The plan includes the conversion of 70 airstrips into complete airports with all necessary facilities. The move will solve the issue of airport congestion which often leads to delays and further improve regional connectivity.
Stating from a preliminary assessment the draft revealed that Mandavi in Gujarat, Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Tura in Meghalaya and Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh which currently have air strips, might be converted into full-fledged airports.
"The under-penetration of air travel in India, rising income levels and improving connectivity to newer destinations in the domestic and international segments will be key growth drivers for the industry," Vinay Kumar G., vice-president & sector head corporate ratings, told Mint.
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According to data provided by Official Airline Guide, UK-based global travel agency, India has the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world.
The focus of the civil aviation ministry will be to improve connectivity of tier-two and tier-three cities. As India is witnessing rapid urbanisation, booming tourism and economic growth, the proposals to increase the number of airports might become a pressing priority for the ministry.
