India’s Aviation Vision 2047: Growth, Innovation, and Sustainable Air Travel

Connectivity turns distance into opportunity. History shows that when regions are well connected, trade grows, tourism flourishes, and development becomes inclusive. In today’s world, better connectivity not only boosts the economy but also supports emergencies, healthcare access, and supply chains.

One of the biggest drivers of India’s air connectivity has been UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). It is a regional connectivity scheme launched on 21 October 2016. Over the past nine years, UDAN has grown from an experiment into a national success story, linking small towns and making air travel affordable for every Indian.

India’s Aviation: Soaring Towards Inclusive Growth

In the past decade, India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world. The number of operational airports has grown from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025, and the government plans to expand this number to 350–400 by 2047.

The aviation sector is one of the fastest-growing parts of the Indian economy, directly and indirectly supporting tourism, logistics, manufacturing, and trade.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), every rupee spent on aviation generates over three times its value in economic activity and supports six times as many jobs in related industries.

Today, India’s aviation sector supports over 7.7 million jobs, including 3.69 lakh direct jobs, and the demand for skilled pilots, engineers, and ground staff continues to rise. With 116 Air Service Agreements, India is also becoming a major global aviation hub.

Civil aviation is attracting FDI, technology partnerships, and Make in India opportunities in aircraft manufacturing and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) services. Domestic passenger traffic has been rising by 10–12% annually, and by 2040, it is expected to reach 1.1 billion passengers.

India’s commercial airline fleet is projected to grow from 400 aircraft in 2014 to around 2,359 by 2040. The total employment supported by the aviation industry could reach 25 million jobs, making aviation a key driver of India’s journey to a developed economy.

UDAN: Making Air Travel Affordable for Every Citizen

From big metros to remote valleys, UDAN has made flying possible for millions who once could not dream of it. Launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, this initiative has brought air services to smaller towns, boosted tourism, and opened up new economic opportunities.

According to NITI Aayog, domestic travellers made up over 83% of total tourism spending in 2019, a number expected to reach 89% by 2028. This is a clear sign of how regional air connectivity has improved accessibility.

Under RCS–UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme), India has:

• Operationalised 649 routes and connected 93 airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 15 heliports.
• Connected 12 airports in the North-East and integrated Andaman, Nicobar, and Lakshadweep Islands into the national aviation network.
• Enabled 1.56 crore passengers to travel on UDAN flights through 3.23 lakh operations, supported by ₹4,300 crore in Viability Gap Funding.

The next phase of UDAN aims to connect 120 more destinations and serve 4 crore passengers in the coming decade.

The UDAN Yatri Café initiative, already active at Kolkata and Chennai airports, makes travel more inclusive with affordable meals, like tea for ₹10 and samosa for ₹20, ensuring every passenger feels welcome.

Digital Transformation and Passenger Experience

With the introduction of DigiYatra and other digital systems, passengers now experience smoother, faster, and more secure travel. The use of technology has simplified check-ins, improved baggage handling, and enhanced the overall airport experience.

India’s Journey Towards 2047

By 2047, India aims to handle over a billion passengers annually and operate more than 200 airports. With continued focus on infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability, the country is well on its way to becoming one of the top aviation markets in the world.

You can read more about the vision on pib.gov.in