India is preparing for another significant expansion of its aviation infrastructure, with the government planning to develop 100 airports over the next decade under the Modified UDAN regional connectivity program. The initiative is expected to improve access to air travel in smaller cities, remote communities, Himalayan regions and island territories.
The plan follows rapid growth in India’s airport network, which has expanded from 74 operational airports in 2014 to 166 today. It also reflects rising demand for air connectivity beyond major metropolitan centres such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Modified UDAN Receives ₹28,840 Crore in Funding
The Union Cabinet approved Modified UDAN in March 2026, establishing a 10-year program covering fiscal years 2026-27 through 2035-36.
The central government has allocated ₹28,840 crore to the initiative. Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu described the planned airport development as representing an investment of approximately ₹30,000 crore.
Modified UDAN builds on the original UDAN program, which was created to connect underserved and unserved destinations through more accessible regional flights. The expanded version is intended to respond to growing demand from communities that remain distant from India’s established aviation centres.
Naidu said India has completed either a new airport or a new terminal approximately every 40 days over the past 12 years. That pace has helped increase the number of airports nationwide while supporting the growth of domestic passenger traffic.
Smaller Cities and Remote Regions Become a Priority
The next phase will focus heavily on tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where expanding populations and economic activity are generating additional demand for faster transportation.
Himalayan communities, other remote areas and island territories such as Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also expected to receive greater attention.
The government sees regional aviation as an important complement to India’s extensive railway system. Residents in smaller communities are increasingly seeking airports closer to their homes instead of relying exclusively on rail services or travelling long distances to reach major aviation hubs.
Developing airports alone, however, will not guarantee effective regional service. Airlines must be able to operate commercially sustainable routes, while passengers need reliable connections to larger domestic and international networks.
Ahmedabad Added to India’s Hub-and-Spoke Network
Alongside the Modified UDAN announcement, Naidu inaugurated India’s third hub-and-spoke aviation operation at Ahmedabad airport.
The Ahmedabad initiative follows similar operations introduced at Varanasi and Amritsar. According to the government, the response to those earlier programs has been positive.
Under the hub-and-spoke model, passengers from smaller regional airports travel through a larger hub before continuing to domestic or international destinations. The system allows airlines to consolidate passenger demand and offer connections that may not support direct flights.
Delhi already functions as one of India’s primary aviation hubs, providing direct connectivity to 54 destinations. The government wants to extend the model to additional airports as part of its ambition to position India as a major global aviation centre.
Gujarat’s International Connections Support Ahmedabad Strategy
Ahmedabad was selected partly because of Gujarat’s large non-resident Indian community. People with ties to the state live across North America, Europe, the Middle East and other international markets, creating significant demand for convenient air connections.
Naidu said the Civil Aviation Ministry has received continuing requests for improved service from the region. He expressed confidence that Ahmedabad could outperform other airports operating a hub-and-spoke system at a comparable scale.
The initiative will combine Ahmedabad’s international services with stronger domestic connections, allowing passengers from regional cities to transfer through the airport more efficiently. Officials said passenger convenience will remain a central consideration as the network develops.
Gujarat also plays an important role in India’s National Civil Aviation Policy. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended the Ahmedabad inauguration.
Airport Investment Supports Employment and Economic Growth
India’s aviation expansion carries broader economic implications. Airport construction and operations can generate employment in infrastructure, transportation, hospitality, logistics, maintenance and other supporting industries.
Improved air access may also encourage business investment and tourism in communities that have historically lacked efficient links to major commercial centres.
The government’s next challenge will be to ensure that newly developed airports attract sustainable airline service and integrate effectively with domestic and international routes. Through Modified UDAN and the expansion of hub-and-spoke operations, India is seeking to build a more connected aviation network while extending the economic benefits of air travel to a wider range of regions.
