(INDIA) India will more than double its aviation network to 350 airports by 2047, a core plank of the government’s Viksit Bharat plan to spread growth to states and smaller cities. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed the target at the Eastern Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation on August 25, 2025, calling aviation a key driver for jobs and regional trade.
The push builds on 88 new airports opened over the past 11 years and a string of new laws and tax changes rolled out across 2024 and 2025. Alongside major metros, policy now centers on tier 2 and tier 3 cities, with states asked to identify airstrips for conversion.
Odisha is in focus: a new terminal is planned for Bhubaneswar Airport, and the center has given in-principle approval for a new airport in Puri. Once construction starts, the Puri project is expected to take about two years. Odisha has also listed 11 airstrips for upgrade, supported by funds, training facilities, and technical help from New Delhi.
Policy and law reboot
The government replaced the colonial-era Aircraft Act, 1934 with the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, which took effect on January 1, 2025. This law updates India’s aviation rulebook in line with the Chicago Convention and International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
Key legal changes and traveler impacts:
– Simplifies licensing and strengthens the powers of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
– Creates a clear appeals system and introduces time-bound grievance redressal, aiming to resolve complaints faster and with more transparency.
– Embeds sustainability: airports and airlines must adopt greener technologies and cut carbon emissions, with newer terminals planning for cleaner power, better waste systems, and more efficient ground handling.
Industry lawyers call the framework modern and workable, while cautioning that rules must be clear and applied consistently across states to avoid delays.
Parliament also passed the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 in April 2025, aligning India with the Cape Town Convention. Expected effects include:
– Reduced aircraft leasing costs by 8–10%, improving creditor protection and repossession rules.
– Lower financing costs could help airlines expand fleets, maintain more reserve aircraft, and potentially cut fares over time.
– The law requires careful coordination among DGCA, customs, and courts; some voices warn against overly favoring foreign creditors at the expense of local interests.
Industry reforms and regional access
In July 2024, taxes and procedures for aircraft maintenance were overhauled:
– A uniform 5% GST now applies to all aircraft and engine parts, replacing a 5–28% range.
– Customs duties on many tools were removed.
– Rules for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) were simplified.
The Ministry projects the MRO industry will grow to $4 billion by 2030, allowing more work to stay in India and reducing time aircraft sit idle abroad.
Other connectivity measures:
– Seaplane rules simplified; two seaplanes expected in October 2025 with early routes to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.
– Ambition to have at least one heliport in every district where a full airport is impractical, starting with hilly and northeastern areas.
These steps aim to bridge the last mile in regions where road or rail links are difficult and weather can disrupt travel for days.
Officials say central and state roles are now better aligned:
– New Delhi: sets policy, funds projects, clears regulatory paths.
– States: pick sites, secure land, build local partnerships.
Regulatory roles under the new law:
– DGCA: safety
– BCAS: security
– Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): probes
All three have wider powers to manage a larger, busier network.
For airlines and passengers:
– Easier access to aircraft and lower leasing costs for airlines.
– More choice, shorter trips to the nearest airport, and stronger consumer rights for passengers.
Analysts (VisaVerge.com) note that under the Viksit Bharat banner, improved air connectivity ties directly to everyday benefits like faster medical travel, quicker family visits, and smoother business movement.
How new airports move from idea to operations
- Site identification: State governments propose locations, often converting existing airstrips.
- Central approval: The Ministry of Civil Aviation issues in-principle approval.
- Funding and partnership: Costs are shared by center and states; private investors may join.
- Construction: Timelines vary; for example, Puri is expected to take about two years once building begins.
- Operational setup: Airports add training centers, emergency services, and ground services, then open with regional routes.
Stakeholder reactions and risks
- Legal experts welcome modern rules but stress the need for coordination among agencies to avoid disputes that could ground aircraft or slow fleet growth.
- Trade groups support MRO tax cuts and call for steady implementation so companies can plan long term.
- Some consumer advocates demand strict enforcement of complaint timelines to ensure real change on refunds, delays, and baggage issues.
The government argues the program is already reshaping the map: by focusing on smaller cities and states, planners expect broader spread of jobs in construction, security, catering, training, and maintenance. As routes open, tourism should rise in previously hard-to-reach areas, benefiting local businesses.
Industry watchers add that India could become the world’s biggest market for regional aircraft by 2030, driven by the build-out of short-haul airports across the country.
Outlook and critical milestones
- Timeline to reach 350 airports by 2047 remains on track, with a steady pipeline of projects and close state cooperation.
- The MRO sector is forecast to double by 2030, supported by the uniform tax rate and simpler procedures.
- Environmental measures will shape new terminals and ground operations, pushing airports to cut emissions and use cleaner systems from day one.
- India aims to strengthen its role as a global aviation hub—dependent on smooth rollout of laws, reliable regulation, and airlines’ capacity to invest in suitable fleets.
Important: Successful delivery of this ambition requires consistent rule application across states, strong inter-agency coordination, and enforcement of consumer protections.
For official updates on policy, projects, and regulations, readers can visit the Ministry of Civil Aviation at https://www.civilaviation.gov.in.
This Article in a Nutshell
India aims for 350 airports by 2047, backed by the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam and fiscal reforms that lower leasing and MRO costs, boost regional access, and target a $4 billion MRO market by 2030.
