India is preparing for another major expansion of its aviation infrastructure, with the government planning to develop 100 new airports over the next 10 years under the Modified UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on September 2 that approximately Rs 30,000 crore would be spent over the next decade to expand India’s airport network and improve connectivity to smaller cities and underserved regions.
The announcement comes as India’s aviation sector continues to expand rapidly. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 165 by July 2026. The government sees the next phase of development as an opportunity to extend air connectivity beyond India’s largest metropolitan areas.
What Is the Modified UDAN Scheme?
The Modified UDAN scheme is the next phase of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, designed to improve access to air travel in smaller cities, remote regions and areas where commercial aviation has traditionally been limited.
The Union Cabinet approved the scheme in March 2026 with a total outlay of Rs 28,840 crore for the financial years 2026-27 through 2035-36.
One of its central components is the development of 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips. This means the programme is primarily focused on upgrading and developing existing aviation infrastructure rather than creating 100 completely new greenfield airport sites.
The scheme also includes plans for 200 modern helipads, particularly in hilly, remote, island and aspirational regions.
Why Does India Need More Airports?
India has one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, and demand for air travel is increasingly spreading beyond major metropolitan centres.
The government says passengers in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, remote areas and geographically challenging regions are increasingly seeking direct access to air transportation. New and upgraded airports could provide better connections to major hubs while reducing dependence on long road or rail journeys.
Regional airports can also support tourism, business activity, employment and local economic development.
How Will 100 Airports Improve Regional Connectivity?
The Modified UDAN programme is designed to make regional aviation more viable by combining infrastructure development with operational support.
The scheme provides financial assistance to airlines operating regional routes, helping address the challenge of running services where passenger demand may initially be insufficient to support commercial operations independently.
The government expects the broader programme to connect 120 new destinations and facilitate travel for approximately 40 million passengers.
If successfully implemented, this could create a larger network connecting smaller cities with India’s major aviation hubs.
Hub-and-Spoke Aviation Model
Another important part of India’s aviation strategy is the development of a hub-and-spoke model.
Under this approach, passengers from smaller cities can fly to regional hubs and then connect to domestic or international destinations.
The government has already introduced hub-and-spoke operations at Varanasi and Amritsar, followed by Ahmedabad in September 2026. The objective is to provide passengers from more parts of India with easier access to international connections through major Indian hubs.
This model could become increasingly important as India’s airport network expands.
What Could the Expansion Mean for Airlines?
For Indian airlines, a larger airport network could create opportunities to launch new regional routes and increase flight frequencies.
However, opening an airport does not automatically guarantee sustainable airline operations. Smaller markets can face challenges including limited passenger demand, operating costs, aircraft availability and seasonal traffic.
This is why the Modified UDAN scheme includes viability gap funding and operational support for regional aviation.
The government has also allocated funds for airport operations and maintenance, recognising that long-term connectivity requires airports to remain financially and operationally sustainable.
A Major Change for India’s Aviation Infrastructure
India’s airport expansion comes at a time when airlines are also placing large aircraft orders.
Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air and other carriers are expanding their fleets, while international airlines are increasing connectivity to India. A growing airport network could provide these airlines with more opportunities to serve emerging passenger markets.
The development of regional airports could also distribute aviation growth more evenly instead of concentrating traffic at a small number of major airports.
What Happens Next?
The Modified UDAN scheme will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36, giving India a decade to develop the planned aviation infrastructure and expand regional connectivity.
The government will need to coordinate with state authorities, airport operators and airlines to identify suitable locations, upgrade infrastructure and establish sustainable routes.
The success of the plan will ultimately depend not only on how many airports are developed, but also on whether airlines can operate reliable services and whether passengers have sufficient demand for those routes.
For India’s aviation industry, however, the direction is clear: the country’s next stage of growth is increasingly focused on bringing air travel closer to smaller cities, remote regions and previously underserved communities.
If the 100-airport programme is implemented as planned, it could significantly reshape India’s domestic aviation map over the next decade.
Key Takeaways
- India plans to develop 100 new airports over the next 10 years.
- The programme is part of the Modified UDAN scheme.
- The overall scheme has an outlay of Rs 28,840 crore.
- The 100 airports are planned primarily through the development of existing unserved airstrips.
- The government also plans 200 modern helipads.
- The scheme is designed to improve connectivity to smaller cities and remote regions.
- The broader programme aims to connect 120 new destinations.
- The government expects the initiative to support around 40 million passengers.
- Hub-and-spoke operations are being developed to connect regional passengers with major domestic and international hubs.