India's airport passenger handling capacity crosses 580 million annually: Govt
New Delhi, Aug 3
India's airport infrastructure has received a significant boost, with the country's total annual passenger handling capacity surpassing 580 million passengers, the government informed Parliament on Monday.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said the increase in capacity is the result of continuous expansion and modernisation initiatives undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators.
These projects are being implemented based on factors such as traffic growth, operational requirements, airline demand, financial viability and techno-economic considerations.
According to the minister, airports across the country now have the capacity to handle more than 580 million passengers annually, compared with actual passenger traffic of around 420 million during the 2025-26 financial year.
The expanded capacity is aimed at accommodating future growth in domestic and international air travel while reducing congestion at major airports.
India currently has 166 operational airports. To further strengthen aviation infrastructure, the government has granted in-principle approval for 25 greenfield airport projects.
Of these, 14 airports have already become operational, reflecting the Centre's efforts to improve regional connectivity and support rising travel demand.
In a separate response to the Upper House, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said 11 scheduled and scheduled commuter airlines are currently operating in the country.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for both the expansion of existing carriers and the entry of new players into the aviation sector.
Highlighting the industry's growth outlook, Naidu said Indian airlines currently operate a fleet of 860 aircraft.
He added that carriers have placed orders for 2,056 aircraft, of which 427 have already been delivered.
The remaining aircraft are expected to be inducted in phases, depending on airlines' fleet expansion strategies, market conditions and commercial requirements.
The minister noted that delivery schedules would also be influenced by aircraft availability, supply chain challenges and other operational factors.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good numbers on paper, but will the smaller airports see enough flights? I've seen many regional airports with empty terminals while metros are overcrowded. The government should focus on getting airlines to actually fly to these places.
👏👏 Proud of the progress! From seeing airports as luxury to having 166 operational ones is a massive jump. The greenfield projects will help future generations. Hope they're environmentally sustainable too - we don't want to hurt Mother Earth while flying high! 🌱
The demand is definitely there, but I'm concerned about ground transportation connectivity at smaller airports. What's the use of a beautiful airport if you can't reach it easily? Public transit links to airports need equal attention.
Waiting for the day when my small city gets direct international flights! 🤞 These numbers give hope. The aviation sector is really taking off. #ProudIndian
As someone who frequently travels between India and the US, I can say Indian airports have improved dramatically. Smooth operations and modern facilities. This capacity boost will help attract more international flights too. Good signs for the economy.
Respectfully, capacity expansion alone is not enough. The experience at many airports
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