New Delhi — India’s airports can now handle more than 580 million passengers annually following continued investment in expansion and modernization, the government told Parliament on Monday.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written response to the Rajya Sabha that the increase reflects infrastructure projects undertaken by the Airports Authority of India and private airport operators.
The projects are based on factors including passenger growth, operational needs, airline demand, financial viability and technical and economic considerations.
India’s airports handled about 420 million passengers during fiscal 2026, leaving additional capacity to accommodate future growth in domestic and international air travel, according to the government.
The expanded infrastructure is also expected to help ease congestion at major airports.
India currently has 166 operational airports. The government has also granted preliminary approval for 25 greenfield airport projects, 14 of which are now operational.
The new airports are part of broader efforts to improve regional connectivity and meet rising demand for air travel.
In a separate response to the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said 11 scheduled and scheduled commuter airlines are operating in India.
Naidu said the government remains committed to supporting the expansion of existing airlines and encouraging new carriers to enter the market.
Indian airlines currently operate a combined fleet of 860 aircraft and have placed orders for 2,056 planes, he said. Of those, 427 have already been delivered.
The remaining aircraft are expected to enter service in phases based on airline expansion plans, market conditions and commercial requirements.
Delivery schedules will also depend on aircraft availability, supply-chain constraints and other operational factors, Naidu said. (Source: IANS)
