Lok Sabha Question No. 6358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Norms for Setting up of New Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6358

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd April 2026 )

## NORMS FOR SETTING UP OF NEW AIRPORTS

## 6358.    DR. SHASHI THAROOR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the list of cities proposed to have multiple airports along with the details of the parameters adopted  for  identification  of  saturated  airports  and  the  current  status  of  approvals  in  this regard;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  policy  decision  to  relax  or  dilute  the  150-km radius norm for setting up greenfield airports once the existing airport capacity is deemed to have saturated and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has received any objections from existing airport operators to the setting  up  of  a  second  airport  within  a  150-km  radius  and  if  so,  the  policy  framework governing the Government's response to such objections;
- (d)  whether any feasibility studies and traffic demand assessments have been conducted to support these proposals and if so, the key findings thereof, city-wise; and
- (e)  the  regulatory  framework  for  allocation  of  air  traffic  and  airline  operations  between multiple  airports  within  the  same  city  along  with  the  measures  being  taken  to  ensure passenger convenience and financial viability of existing airports?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d): As per Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008, Government of India (GoI) grants requisite approvals for setting up of Greenfield airports, where development of such airports are  undertaken  based  on  traffic  forecast,  commercial  feasibility,  operational  requirements, demand  from  airlines  etc.  The  responsibility  for  implementation  of  the  Greenfield  airport projects lie with the airport developer concerned.

;

As per the policy, no greenfield airport is allowed within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of  an  existing  civilian  airport.  However,  the  same  may  be  allowed  after  carrying  out  the impact assessment on the existing civilian airport(s) on a case to case basis. ;

;

Additionally, airports under Public Private Partnership (PPP) are governed by their respective Concession Agreements (CA) etc.

;

Government has given approval for setting up of second airport in Noida (Jewar) near Delhi Airport, Navi Mumbai near Mumbai Airport , Dholera near Ahmedabad Airport, Mopa near

Dabolim,  Goa  Airport,  Puri  near  Bhubaneswar  airport  and  Parandur  near  Chennai  airport, within 150 kilometres of existing airports. ; (e):  The distribution of traffic between two Airports is demand driven and airlines plan their schedule based on their company policy and traffic at the Airports. With the repeal of Air Corporations Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation was deregulated. Airlines are free  to  induct  capacity  with  any  aircraft  type,  free  to  select  whatever  markets  and  network they wish to service and operate subject to compliance of Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) issued by the Government and flight schedules approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

******