New Delhi (Delhi) [India], January 29 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India is on track to have a network of more than 400 airports by 2047, asserting that air travel is steadily becoming affordable and accessible to every citizen.
Delivering a virtual address at the WINGS India 2026 aviation summit, the Prime Minister said air travel in the country is no longer exclusive but increasingly inclusive. He noted that the government has focused on connecting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through airport infrastructure.
‘In India, air travel is no longer exclusive; it is becoming inclusive. Our mission is to make air travel easily accessible to every Indian citizen. That is why we have connected Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with airports. In 2014, India had 70 airports. Today, the number of airports has increased to more than 160. We have activated more than 100 aerodromes in the country and launched affordable flight schemes for citizens. It is estimated that by 2047, India will have more than 400 airports. This will be a very large network,’ the Prime Minister said.
He added that the government is working on the next phase of the UDAN scheme, which he said would further strengthen regional and affordable air connectivity.
Prime Minister Modi also said India is emerging as a major aviation hub linking the Global South with the rest of the world. He emphasised that the country is preparing to lead in environmental safety by becoming a producer of sustainable aviation fuel.
Highlighting technological advancement in the sector, he said India is already a major manufacturer and supplier of aircraft components and has begun domestic manufacturing of military and transport aircraft. He added that the country is also progressing towards civil aircraft manufacturing.
‘India’s geographic position in the global air corridor, our strong domestic feeder network and the future expansion of long-haul fleets are our key strengths. The day is not far when electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed and manufactured in India will give a new direction to the aviation sector,’ he said.
The Prime Minister said such technologies could significantly reduce travel time and reiterated that India is poised to become a major producer and exporter of green aviation fuel in the coming years, further strengthening its role as an aviation gateway between the Global South and the rest of the world.
Earlier, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated WINGS India 2026 at Begumpet Airport, describing it as one of Asia’s most significant aviation summits held once every two years.
Hosted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the support of the Telangana government, the event aims to showcase India’s growing capabilities in civil aviation manufacturing and rising demand in the sector.
WINGS India 2026 is being held from January 28 to 31 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad and is expected to bring together key stakeholders from across the global aviation ecosystem. The event will feature an international exhibition, static aircraft displays, aerobatic flying shows, a global aviation conference, ministerial plenary sessions, a Global CEOs Forum, CEO roundtables, B2B and B2G meetings, an aviation job fair, a student innovation competition and an awards ceremony.
Over the past decade, India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed significant growth, with passenger traffic increasing multi-fold. Indian carriers have inducted hundreds of new aircraft, with record orders positioning the country as one of the world’s largest future aircraft markets. India is also emerging as a hub for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul, pilot training, aerospace manufacturing, cargo logistics and advanced air mobility. (ANI)