The Indian aviation industry is growing at a rapid pace and at the center of it is the exponential infrastructure development in India under the current BJP regime led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India built 74 minor and major airports in the last 9 years, as did previous governments since independence in 1947 till 2014. Of these, Delhi International Airport, also known as Indira Gandhi International Airport, is the largest and busiest domestic airport. As well as the international airport. IGIA’s capacity has increased over the years and since COVID-19, the airport has become one of the largest airports in the world.
Speaking at a conclave recently, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that Delhi International Airport could soon become the largest airport in the world. The massive expansion of the airport will make it one of the largest airports in the world, surpassing Atlanta Airport, which is widely considered to be the world’s largest (in terms of passenger capacity).
“At present, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport currently serves 70 million passengers and the number is expected to increase to 109 million by the end of this year. It is the only Indian airport with three runways. Delhi’s new runway and fourth runway are likely to be operational in September. Scindia said, it will become one of the largest airports in the world even ahead of Atlanta airport.
Delhi International Airport will soon get its fourth runway, making it the only airport in India to have 4 runways. IGIA has three terminal buildings and is expected to have a passenger capacity of over 100 million by the end of 2023.
Talking on the planes in India, he said that India would need 1200 planes in the next 5 years. “The capacity of 400 aircraft in 2013 has increased to 700 today and will increase to 1200 in the next 5 years. With the increase in fleet capacity, civil aviation will expand to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities,” he said.
“Last-mile connectivity is very important, with more focus on 20-seater aircraft and other smaller size aircraft to connect more secluded areas of the country. UDAN 4.2 is higher in smaller aircraft with 182 routes and more in the coming months Udaan 5.2 will be launched,” Scindia further said.
Talking about the infrastructure in India, he said that civil aviation has doubled in the last 9 years. By 2030, he expects the industry to grow from 145 million passengers to 450 million passengers. “After independence, India has built 74 airports till 2014 and in the last 9 years we have built 74 airports and heliports. There is a huge potential to be explored both in terms of passenger traffic and infrastructure,” he said.
“We have around 98000 crore capex plans in next 3 to 4 years for aviation. It will be operated by both private and public sector through Airport Authority of India. It will include 42 brownfield airports and 3 greenfield airports. At present, There are 6 metros in the country and they generate around 220 million on an annual basis, which is likely to increase to 425 million after connecting Mumbai and Jewar metros, Scindia said.