MAJOR AIRPORTS OF INDIA — LOCATION, CONNECTIVITY AND SIGNIFICANCE

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

MAJOR AIRPORTS OF INDIA — LOCATION, CONNECTIVITY AND SIGNIFICANCE

1. Importance of Airports in India

• Airports are vital components of India’s transport infrastructure and support passenger movement, tourism, trade, investment, emergency services and regional connectivity.
• India’s civil aviation network has expanded rapidly; Government sources reported around 164–165 operational airports in 2026, compared with 74 in 2014. (Ministry of Civil Aviation)
• Indian airports collectively handled about 420 million passengers in 2025, reflecting the growing importance of aviation in the economy. (Ministry of Civil Aviation)

2. Indira Gandhi International Airport — Delhi

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is India’s principal international aviation hub and carries the IATA code DEL.
• It serves Delhi-NCR and acts as a major gateway connecting India with Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
• It handled about 7.8 crore passengers in 2025, maintaining its position as India’s busiest airport by passenger traffic. (AAI Aero)
• Its multiple terminals and runways make it important for both domestic and international connectivity.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport — Mumbai

• Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, code BOM, is one of India’s busiest aviation hubs.
• It serves India’s major financial and commercial centre and handles substantial passenger and cargo traffic.
• The airport is operated through a public-private partnership framework. (AIM India)

4. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport — Kolkata

• Kolkata’s airport, code CCU, is the principal aviation gateway to eastern and north-eastern India.
• It handles both domestic and international passenger and cargo services.
• AAI records place the airport approximately 17 km from central Kolkata. (AAI Aero)

5. Kempegowda International Airport — Bengaluru

• Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) serves Bengaluru, India’s leading technology and innovation centre.
• It has emerged as a major hub for domestic travel, international connectivity and high-value air cargo.
• Its importance reflects Bengaluru’s growth in IT, biotechnology, electronics and global business services.

6. Chennai and Hyderabad Airports

• Chennai International Airport (MAA) is a major gateway to southern India and an important centre for international traffic, automobiles, industry and tourism.
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) at Hyderabad serves a major technology, pharmaceutical and business centre.
• Both airports provide extensive domestic and international connectivity.

7. Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Varanasi Airports

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) serves Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar and supports Gujarat’s strong industrial and commercial economy.
• Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is an important gateway to Rajasthan and plays a major role in heritage and tourism connectivity.
• Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) serves Varanasi and is particularly important for religious and cultural tourism; AAI records its total airport area at about 774 acres. (AIM India)

8. Cochin International Airport — Kerala

• Cochin International Airport (COK) is a major international gateway for Kerala.
• It is especially important for passenger traffic between Kerala and the Gulf region.
• The airport is also widely recognised for extensive use of solar energy, demonstrating the potential for greener airport operations.

9. Regional Connectivity and UDAN

• The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in 2016, has significantly expanded aviation access to smaller cities.
• By July 2026, around 679 UDAN routes connecting 95 airports, heliports and water aerodromes had been operationalised, benefiting more than 1.68 crore passengers. (Press Information Bureau)
• The Modified UDAN programme aims to further strengthen regional and last-mile aviation connectivity.

10. Overall Significance

• Airports reduce travel time, improve accessibility and promote tourism, business, exports, employment and regional development.
• Modern airport policy increasingly emphasises greenfield airports, terminal expansion, digital passenger services, multimodal connectivity and sustainability.
• India’s future aviation growth will require better airspace management, airport capacity, regional connectivity and environmentally responsible infrastructure.
• Thus, airports have become important instruments of economic integration, mobility and India’s emergence as a major global aviation market.