Archive · 24 Jan 2026
India's Airport Boom: Growth and Challenges
India has been building a lot of new airports, adding 89 in the last 11 years.
This means a new airport about every 45-50 days.
While this sounds impressive, not all these airports are busy.
About 60% of them have fewer than 10,000 passengers each month, with some having only a few flights a day.
However, some airports like those in Rajkot, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya are doing well, with nearly a million passengers.
The problem is that some airports were built before there was enough demand for them, leading to many being shut down.
India aims to have 400 airports and over a billion passengers by 2047, but it needs to focus on making sure these airports are used.
Additionally, changes in China's battery export taxes might make electric vehicles more expensive in India, as many rely on Chinese batteries.
Overall, while India is making big strides in aviation and infrastructure, there are challenges in ensuring these projects are sustainable and meet real needs.
India has added 89 airports in the last 11 years, averaging one every 45-50 days.
Nearly 60% of airports built or upgraded since 2017 have fewer than 10,000 domestic passengers monthly.
Successful airports like Rajkot, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya have seen close to a million passengers.
Under the UDAN scheme, 15 airports and over 120 routes have been discontinued due to lack of demand.
India aims to have 400 airports and over a billion passengers by 2047, focusing on sustainability and demand.
- Who
- India's aviation sector and related stakeholders
- What
- Rapid expansion of airports with mixed operational success
- When
- Over the last 11 years, with a focus on recent developments
- Where
- Across India, with specific mentions of Rajkot, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and Shimla
- Why
- To improve regional connectivity and support economic growth, but facing challenges of demand and sustainability
- Number of airports added in 11 years
- 89
- Percentage of airports with low passenger traffic
- 60%
- Passenger threshold for low-traffic airports
- Fewer than 10,000 domestic passengers a month
- Successful airports
- Rajkot (Hirasar), Prayagraj, Ayodhya
- Discontinued airports under UDAN scheme
- 15 airports and over 120 routes
- India's aviation ambition by 2047
- 400 airports and over a billion passengers
- Impact of China's battery tax cut
- Higher costs for Indian EV makers
- Battery's share in EV price
- Over a third
