Lok Sabha Question No. 4504 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Increase in Aviation Infrastructure and Activities
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4504

(To be answered on the 27 th  March 2025)

## INCREASE IN AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES

## 4504. SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the potential increase in the number of air passengers in the country during the next five years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the number of flights likely to be increased during the next five years, particularly for Maharashtra;
- (c) the number of airports proposed to be constructed across the country including Maharashtra, during the next five years; and
- (d) the details of the increase proposed in infrastructure, manpower, flight routes and security audits during the next five years?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) and (b): The Government has not conducted any specific study on the expected growth of the aviation sector in the next five years, however, the Ministry has estimated the growth in the number of flyers, aircraft fleet and airport capacity as below:

Metric                                   FY24      FY29(Projected)

Air Passenger (in millions)  222          400

Aircraft fleet size(no.)          813         1300

Airport Capacity (mppa)      550          800

In the next five years, the traffic forecast for the following AAI airports in Maharashtra is expected to handle aircraft movements as below: Airport     Aircraft movement (in thousands)

Aurangabad   8.71

Kolhapur        6.53

Pune             114.46

(c) and (d): The Government of India has accorded 'In-Principle' approval for viz. Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), setting up 21 new Greenfield Airports. Out of these, 12 Greenfield Airports Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, MoPA, Shivamogga and Rajkot have been operationalised. Navi Mumbai International Airport (Greenfield) Airport  is  being  developed  by  the  City  and  Industrial  Development Corporation Of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO), Government of Maharashtra. Under  the  Ude  Desh  ka  Aam  Nagrik  (UDAN)  Scheme,  the development/revival/up-gradation  of  unserved  and  underserved airports/airstrips is undertaken upon its identification through a valid bid and award to the Selected Airline Operator (SAO). Amravati Airport owned by Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation Limited, Government of Maharashtra was identified during 3rd round of bidding under UDAN. The airport has been licensed for scheduled flight operations. Ratnagiri Airport was identified under the UDAN scheme, and the development work is currently in progress. The expansion and development of infrastructure at airports is a continuous process and is undertaken from time to time depending on the passenger demand forecast, operation requirements for the safety of aircraft operations and demand from airlines depending on the availability of land, financial viability as well as other facilities related to intended aircraft operations. The timelines for airport projects depend upon various factors such as land acquisition, mandatory clearances, removal of obstacles, financial closure, etc. by the respective airport developers. The manpower, security and the aviation

ecosystem are expected to grow in a commensurate manner.

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