India has New airport every 50 days

India is rapidly expanding its aviation sector, adding a new airport every 50 days. Key projects include Jewar airport opening in February and Bhogapuram by June, following successful regulatory milestones. Fleet size is growing, policies now allow multiple airports per region, and international connectivity is improving under the Open Sky policy.

India is accelerating the expansion of its aviation infrastructure, adding a new airport roughly every 50 days, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. The announcement came after a successful validation flight was conducted at the upcoming Bhogapuram airport near Visakhapatnam on Saturday, marking another step in the government’s broader effort to strengthen air connectivity nationwide.

Highlighting recent and upcoming developments, the minister said that following the operational launch of Navi Mumbai airport, the Noida International Airport at Jewar is expected to begin operations in February. Bhogapuram airport, meanwhile, is on track to become operational by June this year. Naidu noted that timelines for some projects have been advanced significantly compared to original schedules.

“We have fast-tracked the project so that operations can begin by May or June 2026, well ahead of the initial plan. The Jewar airport will be ready by February,” the minister said, underscoring the pace at which aviation projects are being executed.

Key Regulatory Progress at Bhogapuram

The operator of Bhogapuram airport, GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), described Saturday’s validation flight as a critical regulatory achievement ahead of the airport’s planned inauguration in June. Such a flight is a mandatory step in the process of obtaining an aerodrome licence from the aviation regulator and is essential before commercial flight services can commence.

Developed under a public–private partnership framework, Bhogapuram Airport follows a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model. The validation exercise evaluated major airside components, including runway systems, navigational equipment and overall operational preparedness, in line with standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

GMR Group Deputy Managing Director I. Prabhakar Rao said construction work at the greenfield airport is over 90 per cent complete and progressing faster than planned. The airport is being built in phases, starting with an annual passenger handling capacity of six million, with provisions to scale up as demand increases in the future.

Growing Fleet and Capacity

Naidu also pointed to the rapid growth of India’s commercial aircraft fleet. The country currently operates 843 aircraft, with 80 new planes added in 2025 alone. An additional 106 aircraft are expected to join airline fleets in 2026, further expanding capacity. He added that regional carrier Star Air is considering placing more aircraft orders, which would provide an additional boost to regional and domestic connectivity.

Policy Changes to Support Expansion

On the policy front, the minister said the civil aviation ministry is encouraging states to develop multiple airports, especially in areas where existing facilities are nearing full capacity. He clarified that the earlier 150-kilometre restriction on building a second airport no longer applies once an existing airport is fully utilised.

“The policy is designed to protect the operational viability of the first airport, but it does not prevent the development of another airport after capacity saturation,” he explained.

Naidu also drew attention to measures aimed at strengthening international connectivity. Currently, 18 airports fall under the Open Sky policy, which simplifies the launch of international routes. Visakhapatnam is among the airports covered, a move expected to facilitate smoother global air links.

Regulatory Action Under Review

Addressing recent concerns involving IndiGo, the minister said the civil aviation ministry is examining a DGCA report and considering the imposition of a strict penalty. He stressed that any action taken should serve as a clear warning and deterrent to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Together, the rapid rollout of new airports, expanding aircraft fleets and supportive policy reforms reflect India’s ambition to build a more robust, connected and globally competitive aviation ecosystem.

• 50 new airport development projects over 5 years

• A long-term target to grow the airport count to 300 by 2047

• Plans for 50 new airports, including upgrades and completely new greenfield airports, presented at the World Economic Forum (WEF)