New Delhi, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s airport infrastructure has expanded significantly, with the country’s total annual passenger handling capacity crossing 580 million, the government informed Parliament on Monday.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said the rise in capacity is the result of continuous expansion and modernisation work carried out by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators.
He said airport development projects are being undertaken based on passenger traffic growth, operational requirements, airline demand, financial feasibility and techno-economic assessments.
According to the minister, the country’s airports can now handle more than 580 million passengers annually, compared with actual passenger traffic of around 420 million recorded during the 2025-26 financial year.
The increased capacity is expected to support future growth in domestic and international air travel while helping reduce congestion at major airports.
India currently has 166 operational airports. The government has also granted in-principle approval for 25 greenfield airport projects, of which 14 have already become operational.
In another reply in the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said 11 scheduled and scheduled commuter airlines are currently operating in India.
Naidu said the government is working to create a favourable environment for expansion of existing airlines as well as entry of new players into the aviation sector.
He added that Indian airlines currently operate a fleet of 860 aircraft, while carriers have placed orders for 2,056 additional aircraft. Of these, 427 aircraft have already been delivered.
The remaining aircraft will be inducted in phases, depending on airline expansion plans, market conditions, aircraft availability, supply chain factors and other operational considerations.
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