Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday (October 24) announced that the government plans to establish 50 additional airports within the next five years, aiming to enhance the country’s airport infrastructure and boost job creation.
Over the past decade, the number of airports in India has doubled to 157, and the minister further revealed that 200 more airports are projected to be developed over the next 20 years.
Naidu made the remarks while inaugurating the Airbus India and South Asia Headquarters and Training Centre in New Delhi. He emphasised on the importance of expanding the airport ecosystem, which he believes will stimulate both job opportunities and commercial growth.
Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam also highlighted the significant rise in air travel, stating that passenger traffic is expected to double in the next five years from the current 220 million recorded last year.
UDAN scheme marks 8 years
The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN, launched in 2016, completed its 8th anniversary. Marking the occasion Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Asangba Chuba Ao on Sunday highlighted the scheme’s remarkable achievements. He shared that around 1.44 crore people have benefited from the initiative so far, with 601 routes now operational across the country.
“If you look at the journey of UDAN, as of now, about 1.44 crore people have already flown under the RCS which is a huge number by any measure. 601 routes have been operated under the scheme so far,” the Joint Secretary said.