The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a new policy that will enable the development of more than one commercial airport in major Indian cities. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu told reporters that the move aims to de‑congest existing hubs, improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the country.
Policy Overview
Under the proposed framework, state governments and private developers will be allowed to propose and operate additional airports in metropolitan areas where passenger traffic has outgrown the capacity of the primary airport. The policy will be governed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and will require compliance with safety, environmental and land‑use regulations.
Key elements of the policy include:
- Eligibility criteria for cities based on passenger volume, runway capacity and projected growth.
- Fast‑track clearances for land acquisition and environmental clearances, subject to stringent impact assessments.
- Incentives for private participation, including viability gap funding and tax benefits.
- Mandated coordination between the new airport and existing infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity.
Implications for Air Travel and the Economy
The introduction of secondary airports is expected to alleviate the chronic congestion at busy hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. By distributing traffic, airlines can operate more slots, reduce delays and offer a broader range of routes, especially to tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities.
Economic analysts predict that the policy could generate significant ancillary benefits, including:
- Creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs in construction, operations and ancillary services.
- Boost to tourism and business travel by providing easier access to emerging destinations.
- Increased cargo handling capacity, supporting India’s growing export‑import ecosystem.
- Stimulus for real‑estate development around new airport zones, leading to urban expansion.
Minister Naidu emphasized that the government will monitor the environmental impact closely, ensuring that new projects adhere to sustainable development standards.
Stakeholder Reactions
Industry bodies have largely welcomed the announcement. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) described the policy as a “necessary step” to keep pace with rising demand. Private airport operators, such as GMR and Adani Airports, expressed optimism about new investment opportunities.
However, some regional planners raised concerns about land acquisition challenges and the need for robust multimodal connectivity to prevent traffic bottlenecks on the ground. Environmental NGOs have called for transparent impact assessments and the inclusion of green corridors in airport designs.
State governments are expected to submit proposals for new airports within the next six months, after which the central ministry will evaluate them against the policy criteria.
Overall, the initiative signals a strategic shift in India’s aviation policy, moving from a single‑airport model in major metros to a networked approach that aligns with the country’s broader infrastructure and economic objectives.
As the aviation sector rebounds from the pandemic slowdown, the new policy could reshape India’s air travel landscape, offering passengers more choices while driving growth in under‑served regions.
