India to double airports to 300 by 2047 amid surging passenger traffic

India's ambitious plan to expand its airport infrastructure by 2047 aims to increase the number of airports to 300, driven by expectations of a significant surge in passenger traffic, according to a draft plan by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This strategic initiative involves converting existing airstrips into operational airports and constructing new greenfield airports where necessary. Approximately 70 airstrips are earmarked for conversion to accommodate narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, with an additional 40 airstrips set for upgrades to serve smaller aircraft. New greenfield airports will be considered under the plan for areas lacking nearby civilian airports.

India operates 138 airports, and the proposed expansion strategy includes transforming existing civil enclaves into fully functional airports to meet future demand. By 2047, annual passenger traffic is projected to reach between 3 billion and 3.5 billion, a substantial increase from the current 376 million. International passengers are expected to constitute around 10-12% of this total. The draft plan acknowledges its preliminary nature, subject to adjustments based on evolving factors and scenarios, ensuring readiness to effectively accommodate India's growing aviation needs.

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