The path is fraught with challenges. Experts say the entire civil aviation ecosystem will need to be strengthened before it can take wing. 

For one, it would mean scaling up significantly. At present, India has approximately 160 operational airports, 800-860 commercial aircraft, including passenger and cargo carriers.  Its annual air passenger traffic is around 376 million passengers.

Be it the high cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), capacity constraints at metro airports, and the lack of pilots and technical manpower, these factors could throw a spanner in the works. 

Baggage handling systems, ground transport connectivity, hangars, parking bays, and other supporting infrastructure are also inadequate at the airports in several Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. 

A senior civil aviation official told The Secretariat that Indian airlines still rely on foreign facilities for major maintenance work, leading to higher operational costs and greater foreign exchange outflows. So, it is essential to upgrade domestic Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. 

Airport Infrastructure Expansion

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol spoke of airport infrastructure expansion in the Lok Sabha this year.

“The government has adopted a multi-dimensional strategy for airport infrastructure expansion up to 2047, including Greenfield airports, airports developed under the UDAN scheme, and promotion of private investment through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.” 

“Under this initiative, 25 Greenfield airports have received in-principle approval, of which 13 have become operational, and six have received site clearance. Meanwhile, 663 air routes connecting 95 aerodromes have been operationalised under the UDAN scheme. The programme aims to connect 120 new destinations with air services over the next 10 years.” 

Manpower Shortages

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is beset by staff shortages. The Ministry has acknowledged that out of 1,063 sanctioned posts, 538 remain vacant, including 426 technical positions. 

Several airports are facing acute manpower shortages on one hand and increasing air traffic, strained infrastructure, and operational disruptions on the other, sources say. 

Severe pilot shortages at IndiGo airline had made headlines for days last year. It was primarily caused by the implementation of stricter DGCA norms in November 2025 aimed at reducing pilot fatigue, which ended up exposing aggressive schedules and hiring delays in the sector. 

Clearing The Flight Path

Vandana Singh, Chairperson of the Cargo Division of the Federation of Aviation Industry in India (FAII), told The Secretariat, “Many metro airports operate under severe congestion during peak hours, affecting punctuality, turnaround efficiency, and slot availability.”

“Therefore, alongside expansion, there is a need for smarter traffic management systems. If the industry is to achieve the envisioned pace of growth, then faster approval processes, integrated policy-making, and digitalised procedures will become indispensable,” she said. 

Commenting on the PPP model, she said, “Several Indian airports have been developed under the PPP framework, but airports are not merely commercial assets. A balance is required between concession design, tariff structures, service obligations, and long-term expansion commitments.” 

“Where transparency, regulatory clarity, and balanced risk-sharing exist, the model can be highly effective. The future of aviation should not be defined merely by expansion, but by development, safety, and robust infrastructure.”