India Plans 350 Airports by 2047, Eyes Major Aviation Expansion
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlights rapid sector growth and regional connectivity at WEF, while states engage global investors for collaboration and development.
India plans to expand its airport network to nearly 350 by 2047, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“We have a plan to build 50 airports in the next five years, and by Viksit Bharat 2047, when we envision a developed India, we aim to have up to 350 airports,” Naidu said on Tuesday.
Highlighting the country’s rapid growth in aviation, he noted that India is now the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. “This growth was not accidental. It is the result of policy initiatives, significant capital infusion into the civil aviation sector, and a concerted effort to democratize air travel and expand regional connectivity,” he said.
Naidu outlined the progress over the past decade, stating that the number of airports has increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 today. “We have nearly 1,700 aircraft on order, which is unmatched globally. The civil aviation sector continues to grow at over 10-12 percent annually, and we expect this trend to continue for the next 25-30 years,” he added.
On India’s engagement with global businesses, Naidu emphasized collaboration and mutual benefit. “We want to work together not only to gain but also to contribute meaningfully, ensuring a sustainable, safe, secure, and technology-driven future,” he said.
Several state governments have actively participated in discussions with international companies at the WEF. Officials from Madhya Pradesh met with leaders including Krishan Balendra, Chairman of John Keells Holdings PLC; Hashiyama Shigeto from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC); Jay Galla, Co-founder of the Amara Raja Group; Herve Couraye, Advisor to TouchLab; and Jasmin Hume, CEO of Shiru, to explore investment and collaboration opportunities.
Karnataka’s Minister for Commerce, Industries, and Infrastructure, M B Patil, has also held a series of strategic engagements during the forum.
The 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum is being held from January 19 to 23, 2026, in Davos-Klosters, with nearly 3,000 participants from over 130 countries, including world leaders, CEOs, innovators, and policymakers, gathering under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.”