Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced last Friday that as India aims to become a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to increase the number of airports in the country to 350 and promote tourism.
Speaking at an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate World Tourism Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Naidu highlighted the ministry’s efforts to connect more remote areas, particularly those near unexplored tourist destinations. He underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing domestic connectivity and improving facilities at airports to create a welcoming experience for foreign visitors, stating that “airports are gateways to a country.”
“Today, we have 157 airports, but as we work towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, we aim to increase this number to 350 over the next 20-25 years,” Naidu said during his address.
He also congratulated the Ministry of Tourism after Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the ‘Chalo India’ campaign, which will exempt visa fees for 100,000 foreign tourists in the near future.
Reflecting on the growth of India’s aviation sector, Naidu said, “In 2014, 4.6 crore travelers arrived in India. Today, with the number of airports having increased from 74 to 157, we are seeing nearly 7 crore arrivals. Of these, more than 35% come for holidays and recreation.”
The minister noted that the ministry is now connecting many previously “unserved” and “underserved” airports, located close to scenic landscapes, to promote tourism in these areas. He commended the UDAAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme launched by the Narendra Modi government, which has made air travel more accessible to the general public.
“We are focused on connecting more of these remote locations, many of which are hidden gems, by establishing additional airports. Our goals align fully with those of the tourism sector,” Naidu added.
He also mentioned plans to improve connectivity through seaplanes and helicopters, emphasizing that air travel is a key link for boosting foreign tourist arrivals. “We must work together to unlock the full tourism potential of our country,” he concluded.
