NEW DELHI, 9 September 2024: India is gearing up for a massive expansion in its aviation infrastructure, with the government envisioning the operation of 350 to 400 airports over the next 20 to 25 years. This ambitious plan was revealed by Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, during the India Regional Air Mobility Conference 2024, organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI. The minister’s announcement marks a significant step toward bolstering regional connectivity across the country, ensuring more accessible and affordable air travel for millions of citizens.
Minister Naidu also unveiled the government’s decision to extend the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN, which was launched in 2016, for an additional ten years beyond its current end date in 2027. “Our goal is to make air travel affordable for the common man while boosting connectivity. Extending the UDAN scheme for another decade will not only further regional air travel but also strengthen the civil aviation sector,” Naidu said. Under the UDAN scheme, more than 583 routes have been operationalized, connecting 86 underserved or previously unserved airports. So far, 1.4 crore passengers have benefited from over 2.80 lakh flights operated through this initiative, supported by ₹3,700 crore in viability gap funding.
The minister also shed light on the country’s ambitious plans to develop and manufacture its own regional aircraft. India is working closely with global experts to break into the regional aircraft market, a move aimed at enhancing self-reliance and tapping into the growing aviation industry. “We want to produce our own aircraft, learning from the best and building our presence in the regional aircraft space,” Naidu stated, emphasizing that this step will boost both the aviation industry and India’s position in global markets.
Looking beyond national borders, Minister Naidu advocated for greater interconnectivity between countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He proposed a “hub and spoke” model to optimize air routes, with major airports acting as hubs for smaller regional airports. “Asia-Pacific is poised to become the largest aviation market by 2035, with 3.5 billion passengers annually. It is crucial that we work together to tackle common challenges, such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory hurdles,” Naidu added. This collaborative effort could transform regional connectivity and strengthen India’s role in the broader aviation landscape.
Another area of interest for the minister is urban air mobility. With the recent release of guidelines by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, India is positioning itself as a leader in emerging aviation technologies. Naidu highlighted the potential of eVTOL vehicles to ease congestion in densely populated cities like Delhi and Mumbai, offering a futuristic approach to urban mobility. “eVTOL aircraft can revolutionize short-distance urban travel, creating a strong air mobility network within cities,” Naidu explained.
Mr. Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, echoed Naidu’s optimism for the future of India’s aviation sector. He noted that the sector has witnessed robust growth, with a 10% annual increase over the past two decades, excluding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Vualnam emphasized the importance of government initiatives, such as doubling the number of operational airports and expanding the UDAN scheme, in sustaining this growth trajectory.
At the conference, Mr. Alexis VIDAL, Chief Commercial Officer of ATR Regional Aircraft, highlighted the success of regional air mobility in India. He explained that ATR aircraft have been instrumental in creating over 200 new city pairings across the country, helping connect previously isolated regions. According to VIDAL, there is significant potential to add 300 more city pairs, which could bring an additional 80 million annual passengers into the regional air travel fold.
Mr. Remi Maillard, Chairman of the FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD of Airbus for South Asia & India, emphasized that regional air mobility is vital for India’s continued aviation growth. He praised the UDAN scheme for its success in connecting underserved airports but acknowledged that further government support and infrastructure improvements are needed to sustain long-term viability.
India’s bold vision of operating up to 400 airports, coupled with the ongoing success of the UDAN scheme, signifies a new chapter for the country’s aviation sector. With continued government support, infrastructure development, and innovative approaches like eVTOL aircraft, the future of regional air mobility in India looks promising, promising to reshape air travel across the nation and beyond.
