India New Airports: 100 More Airports Planned Under UDAN in 10 Years

India New Airports expansion is set to receive a major boost, with the Centre planning to build 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government plans to invest approximately Rs 30,000 crore in the expansion programme.

The announcement comes as India's aviation sector continues to expand, with increasing demand for air connectivity from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, remote regions, Himalayan areas and island territories.

Naidu made the remarks while inaugurating India's third hub-and-spoke operation from Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday.

India New Airports Plan to Strengthen Regional Connectivity

The proposed India New Airports programme is aimed at taking air connectivity to more parts of the country and making air travel accessible to a larger section of the population.

According to Naidu, India had 74 airports in 2014, while the number has now increased to 166. He highlighted the rapid expansion of airport infrastructure over the past 12 years, noting that work on a new airport or terminal has been completed roughly every 40 days during this period.

The government now intends to build on this expansion by creating 100 additional airports over the coming decade.

Rs 30,000 Crore Investment Planned

The Civil Aviation Minister said approximately Rs 30,000 crore would be spent over the next 10 years to build the proposed airports.

The investment is expected to support airport development and strengthen regional air connectivity, particularly in locations that have traditionally had limited access to air travel.

The expansion is also expected to complement the government's broader efforts to develop aviation infrastructure and increase connectivity between smaller cities and major urban centres.

Modified UDAN Scheme Gets Cabinet Approval

The airport expansion plan is closely linked to the government's modified Regional Connectivity Scheme, known as Modified UDAN.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the launch and implementation of Modified UDAN for a period of 10 years, from financial year 2026-27 to 2035-36.

The approved scheme has a total financial outlay of Rs 28,840 crore, including budgetary support from the Centre.

The scheme is intended to build on the regional connectivity improvements achieved through UDAN and further expand air services across the country.