India boosts air connectivity to drive tourism

01-12-25

India is currently experiencing one of the fastest airport expansion processes in the world, at a time when tourism is consolidating itself as a strategic engine for its economy. According to the Minister of Civil Aviation, K. Ram Mohan Naidu, the country inaugurates a new airport approximately every 50 days, an unprecedented pace on a global scale that reflects the government’s determination to deeply transform its transport network and enhance tourism mobility. This announcement was made during the 30th edition of the CII Partnership Summit 2025, where the minister stressed that this expansion is exceptional not only in numbers, but also in its forward-looking vision.

This accelerated growth is part of a national plan to add around 50 new airports over a period of just five years. The magnitude of this progress becomes clear when reviewing the evolution of the last decade: between 2014 and 2025, the country has gone from operating 74 airports to having around 159, a historic leap in terms of accessibility, infrastructure and operational capacity. This major development responds, among other factors, to the continuous increase in domestic and international tourism, a sector that demands more efficient routes and easier connections between emerging destinations.

India’s airport policy is not limited to the construction of terminals. The country is strengthening its entire aviation ecosystem, from regional airfields to hubs specializing in maintenance, training and aeronautical manufacturing. There is also notable growth in the drone sector and in new technologies linked to air transport, which together support a strategy aimed at consolidating India as a global player in mobility. This comprehensive expansion directly benefits tourism, as it makes it possible to diversify access points, better distribute visitor flows and facilitate travel to lesser-known regions with high tourism potential.

One of the most visible examples of this momentum is Andhra Pradesh, a state that already has seven operational airports and another seven under development. In addition to expanding its air capacity, plans are underway to turn it into a logistics and training hub for the sector. This type of initiative highlights how airport infrastructure is also being used as a tool to attract investment, redistribute economic activity and stimulate regional tourism, a key element in the national strategy of diversifying destinations.

The importance of tourism in this process is undeniable. In recent years, India has welcomed a growing number of travellers attracted by its cultural, spiritual and natural heritage, and the government has identified in this flow a strategic opportunity. Improving connectivity is essential to sustaining this growth, especially in a vast and diverse country where many places of interest are located far from major urban centres. A nearby airport can transform a region’s economy, open new tourism corridors and foster the development of local communities that find in tourism a source of employment and prosperity.

However, the rapid increase in the number of airports also poses significant challenges. Efficient management of air traffic, environmental sustainability, integration with land transport and the creation of complementary services are all crucial components to ensure that this expansion has lasting positive effects. The drive to build infrastructure must be accompanied by policies that promote responsible tourism, balancing the mass arrival of visitors with the preservation of the environment and local culture.

Even so, the direction is clear: India has decided to turn air connectivity into a cornerstone of its economic and tourism transformation. Inaugurating an airport every 50 days is much more than a striking statistic; it is the sign of a country determined to dismantle internal barriers, strengthen its international competitiveness and make it easier for millions of travellers to discover its vast cultural mosaic. If management keeps pace with expansion, India has the opportunity to consolidate itself as one of the most accessible, dynamic and attractive destinations on the global stage.

In collaboration with:

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies.

Legal notice