AHMEDABAD, September 2, 2026 – India is set to construct 100 new airports over the next decade under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) with an estimated outlay of ₹30,000 crore. The announcement was made by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday during his visit to Gujarat.
The Minister outlined the ambitious infrastructure expansion plan while inaugurating India’s third ‘hub and spoke’ aviation operations at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The launch event was also attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
1.Historic Growth in Aviation Infrastructure:
Highlighting the rapid transformation of the civil aviation sector, Naidu pointed out that India’s aviation map has expanded significantly. He stated that the number of operational airports has more than doubled from just 74 in 2014 to 166 today, setting a national record. Over the past 12 years, the government has completed work on a new airport or terminal roughly every 40 days.
2.Modified UDAN Scheme and Rural Connectivity:
The planned ₹30,000 crore investment aligns with the Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the ‘Modified UDAN’ scheme, which has been extended for another 10 years from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36. The Minister emphasized that the demand for air travel is no longer limited to major metropolitan areas; there is a surging demand originating from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, Himalayan regions, remote areas, and island territories like Lakshadweep and Andaman.
3.Expanding the ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ Model:
To ensure effective domestic and international connectivity, the Ministry is actively expanding the ‘hub-and-spoke’ model. Initially launched in Varanasi and Amritsar, the model has now been introduced in Ahmedabad due to its large Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community and consistent regional demand. This model allows international flights to operate from regional hubs while ensuring seamless domestic connectivity to these departure points.
The Civil Aviation Minister concluded by emphasizing the sector’s pivotal role as a major contributor to India’s economic growth and employment generation, noting that advancing aviation infrastructure translates directly to the economic advancement of the entire nation.
Published by True Roots Media Network