India’s Civil Aviation Sector Soars: 160 Operational Airports, Digital Transformation, and Inclusive Growth
New Delhi : India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed a transformative leap over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emerging as a crucial pillar of the nation’s infrastructure and connectivity vision.
From just 74 operational airports in 2014, India now boasts 160 aviation facilities as of March 2025, comprising 145 airports, 13 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes. This rapid expansion underscores the government’s commitment to regional connectivity and inclusive development.
A major catalyst has been the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, under which 625 new air routes have been operationalised, linking 88 underserved and unserved airports. With over ₹5,000 crore in funding, UDAN has benefited over 1.51 crore passengers, connecting remote regions including the Northeast, tribal belts, and hilly terrains.
Notable greenfield airports that commenced operations during this period include Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Kurnool, Kushinagar, Sindhudurg, Donyi Polo (Itanagar), and the MoPA Airport in Goa—boosting regional tourism and trade potential.
In a digital push, platforms like eGCA have digitized nearly 300 aviation services, while the Digi Yatra initiative ; embraced by over 5.2 crore passengers ; has introduced facial recognition for seamless travel. New-age security systems like biometric Aerodrome Entry Permits (AEP) and a paperless e-BCAS system have further enhanced operational efficiency and safety.
India’s drone industry has taken flight, with over 32,000 drones registered and 26,000+ remote pilot certificates issued, supported by modern regulatory frameworks such as the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, and aligned with the Make in India initiative.
Flagship schemes like Krishi UDAN (for agri-logistics), Lifeline UDAN (launched during COVID-19), and HEMS (India’s first helicopter ambulance pilot project in Uttarakhand) are expanding the sector’s impact on agriculture, emergency response, and rural healthcare.
India now proudly leads the world in women pilots, accounting for 15% of the total, with a vision to expand the women workforce in aviation to 25% by 2025. Passenger-centric improvements include baggage turnaround within 30 minutes at major airports and the launch of UDAN Yatri Cafés offering affordable meals.
In a major infrastructure push, the Cabinet has approved significant investments, including the ₹2,869 crore upgrade of Varanasi Airport, and new civil enclaves at Bihta (Patna) and Bagdogra, with total funding exceeding ₹2,900 crore.
As India marches toward Viksit Bharat@2047, its civil aviation sector is set to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, fostering national integration, and enhancing last-mile connectivity for every citizen.
