India is setting ambitious targets for its civil aviation sector, aiming to nearly double the number of airports to 350 and push passenger traffic beyond one billion by 2047, according to an official statement issued on Thursday. The plan is part of the government’s long-term Aviation Vision 2047, coinciding with the centenary of India’s independence.
The country’s aviation infrastructure has already witnessed rapid growth, with airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025. Domestic air passenger traffic has grown at an annual rate of 10-12 per cent over the past decade. With expanding connectivity and infrastructure, the sector is expected to become a core engine of India’s $10 trillion economy, supporting 25 million jobs by 2047.
The government highlighted that opportunities in Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO), drone manufacturing, and pilot training are projected to expand substantially, making aviation a significant employment generator. Today, the sector directly employs around 369,000 people and indirectly supports over 7.7 million jobs across airlines, ground handling, logistics, tourism, and allied services.
Regional connectivity has been a key focus under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in October 2016. Over nine years, UDAN has operated 649 routes, connected 93 aerodromes, including two water aerodromes and 15 heliports, and carried 1.56 crore passengers through 3.23 lakh flights. The initiative has successfully integrated remote regions, including the North-East and island territories such as Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep, into the national aviation network.
The statement emphasized the economic multiplier effect of aviation investments. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), every rupee spent in the sector generates more than three times that value in economic activity and supports six times as many jobs in connected industries. Expanding airport infrastructure and airline operations is expected to create a cascade of economic benefits across regions.
India’s commercial airline fleet has grown from 400 aircraft in 2014 and is projected to reach around 2,359 aircraft by March 2040. Passenger traffic is expected to rise sixfold by 2040, reaching approximately 1.1 billion, further underlining the need for increased airport capacity. In parallel, domestic tourism is on the rise. NITI Aayog data shows domestic travellers accounted for over 83 per cent of total tourism spending in 2019, with projections of nearly 89 per cent by 2028, indicating how regional connectivity directly influences local economies.
The expansion plan also reinforces India’s global connectivity, with over 116 bilateral Air Service Agreements in place and Indian carriers increasingly operating internationally. Civil aviation is driving foreign direct investment, technology transfer, and Make in India initiatives in aircraft manufacturing, MRO, and ground handling.
By 2047, the government anticipates that the aviation sector will not only handle over one billion passengers annually but will also significantly enhance regional tourism, create employment for skilled professionals, and stimulate economic growth in remote and previously underserved areas. Destinations once considered difficult to access, such as Kullu, Darbhanga, Hubballi, and Shillong, are now directly connected by air, boosting local economies and reshaping India’s travel map.
The Aviation Vision 2047 plan underscores the government’s commitment to affordable, inclusive, and sustainable air travel, with strategic investment in airports, training, and regional infrastructure serving as pillars of long-term growth. The roadmap aims to position India as a global aviation hub, ensuring that both domestic and international connectivity support the country’s emergence as a developed economy over the coming decades.
