Ahmedabad: India is set to expand its aviation network significantly, with the Centre planning to build 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government expects to invest around ₹30,000 crore in the expansion.
Naidu made the announcement in Ahmedabad while inaugurating the country’s third ‘hub-and-spoke’ aviation operation at the city’s airport.
India’s airport network has more than doubled
Naidu said India had 74 airports in 2014, while the number has now increased to 166. He said a new airport or terminal had been completed roughly every 40 days over the past 12 years.
The Union Cabinet approved the Modified UDAN scheme in March this year for 10 years, from financial year 2026-27 to 2035-36, with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
The minister said demand for air connectivity was growing across the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, remote regions, Himalayan areas and island territories such as Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Hub-and-spoke model aims to make flying easier
Naidu said building airports was only one part of the challenge, as passengers also needed convenient connections between smaller cities and major international destinations.
The ‘hub-and-spoke’ model is designed to address this gap by linking regional airports with major Indian airports that offer international services.
The model was first introduced in Varanasi and Amritsar, where it received a positive response. Ahmedabad was selected as the third location, with the minister highlighting the large Gujarati and NRI community seeking better international connectivity.
Aviation sector expected to drive growth
Naidu described civil aviation as one of India’s fastest-growing sectors and said its expansion would create employment and generate economic activity across several industries.
He said the government’s focus was not simply on building more airports but on ensuring that passengers can use them conveniently.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were also present at the Ahmedabad event.
With the planned expansion, the Centre aims to bring air travel closer to people in smaller cities, remote regions and underserved parts of the country.