Airports In India, List, Greenfield Airports, Aviation Initiatives

Airports in India are important transport facilities that connect different parts of the country as well as the rest of the world. They play a key role in air travel, trade, tourism, and economic development. India has a large network of airports, including international, domestic, and regional airports, which help in the movement of passengers and goods. These airports are located in major cities as well as smaller towns to improve connectivity.

Aviation Sector of India

• In the last decade, India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly, and air travel has become more common than ever. Today, India is the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. The number of airports has also increased significantly from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025. Looking ahead, the government plans to expand this number to around 350-400 airports by 2047.
• The aviation sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of India’s economy. It not only provides air transport but also supports other sectors like tourism, trade, logistics, and manufacturing.
• According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), investment in aviation has a strong impact on the economy. For every rupee spent, it creates more than three times the value and generates many job opportunities in related sectors.
• At present, the aviation sector supports over 7.7 million jobs, including around 369,000 direct jobs. In the future, the demand for skilled workers such as pilots, engineers, and ground staff is expected to increase.
• India is also improving its global connectivity through more than 116 air service agreements with other countries. This is helping Indian airlines expand internationally and making India an important aviation hub in Asia. The sector is also attracting foreign investment (FDI) and promoting initiatives like Make in India, especially in areas like aircraft maintenance and manufacturing.
• Over the past few years, domestic air travel in India has been growing at a steady rate of 10-12% every year. By 2040, passenger traffic is expected to increase nearly six times, reaching around 1.1 billion passengers. The number of aircraft is also expected to grow significantly, and total employment in the aviation sector may reach around 25 million.

International Airports in India 

• International airports in India are airports that allow people to travel to other countries through direct or connecting flights. Along with international travel, these airports are also used for domestic flights.
• These airports usually have separate terminals for domestic and international passengers. They include important facilities like customs checks, security systems, and immigration services, which are necessary for international travel.
• Compared to domestic airports, international airports are larger and more advanced. They provide extra facilities such as duty-free shops, lounges, waiting areas, airline offices, baby care rooms, prayer rooms, and tourism help centres.
• International airports in India follow global standards set by organizations like the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization, which also assign airport codes.
• The Indira Gandhi International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in India (2026). It is built over a large area and handles a huge number of passengers. It is followed by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
• The Cochin International Airport is important because it is the first airport in India developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Another example is the Calicut International Airport, which has been recently included in the list of international airports.

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India’s International Airports List (2026)

The list of India’s International Airports List (2026) has been shared below.

Domestic Airports in India

• Domestic airports in India are airports that handle flights within the country only. They connect different cities and regions of India and do not operate international flights.
• Unlike international airports, domestic airports do not have customs and immigration facilities, so they cannot handle flights to or from other countries. However, they still follow security checks such as baggage screening and metal detectors to ensure passenger safety.
• Domestic terminals provide many facilities for the comfort of passengers. These include waiting areas, VIP lounges with Wi-Fi, and basic travel services. Some modern airports also offer extra facilities like spas, massage centres, and showers, especially for passengers traveling long distances.

List of Domestic Airports in India (2026)

Here is the list of domestic airports in India, along with the city and state where they are located.

Greenfield Airports in India (Approved / Developed)

Out of the 21 approved greenfield airports in India, 12 airports have already become operational. These include places like Durgapur, Shirdi, Sindhudurg, Pakyong, Kannur, and others. The remaining airports are either under development or in the planning stage, and are expected to become operational in the coming years.

Aviation Initiatives in India

• UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik): This scheme aims to make air travel affordable and accessible for common people. It connects small towns and remote areas with major cities, boosting tourism and local economic development.
• Krishi UDAN (2020): This initiative helps in the fast transport of agricultural and perishable goods, especially from rural, tribal, and northeastern regions. It also provides subsidy on freight charges, benefiting farmers.
• Lifeline UDAN (2020): Started during the COVID-19 pandemic, this scheme ensured the delivery of medical supplies and essential goods across the country, especially to remote areas.
• Greenfield Airports Policy: This policy promotes the development of new airports on unused land, often through public-private partnerships, to improve connectivity and reduce pressure on major airports.
• Digi Yatra (2022): A digital initiative that allows paperless and contactless travel using facial recognition technology, making airport processes faster and smoother.
• Flight Training and Pilot Development: The government is expanding pilot training institutes to meet future demand and is also promoting greater participation of women in aviation.
• Drone Rules (2021) and PLI Scheme: These initiatives aim to simplify drone regulations and promote domestic manufacturing, supporting growth in the drone sector.
• Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam (2024): A new law introduced to modernize India’s aviation sector, simplify regulations, and support Make in India and global standards.