On the completion of nine years of the Modi Government, Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia today shared the achievements of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the last nine years in New Delhi. He said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the aviation sector which was only limited to a few is within the reach of the common man now.”
The Minister added that India is the 3rd largest domestic aviation market. The total number of domestic passengers in 2014 was 60 million which doubled to 143 million in 2020 prior to Covid-19. International passengers have increased from 43 million to 64 million (an increase of almost 50%). In terms of aircraft, the numbers have increased from around 400 in 2014 to 723 in 2023 despite the impact of Covid-19.
Till 2014, only 74 airports were operational in the country. By March 2023, the Government operationalized another 74 airports/ Helicopters/Water Aerodromes, and the Government of India aims to take the total to 220.
During the last 9 years, 11 more Greenfields airports have been operationalized. Under the UDAN scheme, 180 RCS airports including 25 Water Aerodromes & 40 Helipads have been identified for the operation of RCS flights in the country. As of now, out of 1152 valid awarded RCS routes, 475 RCS routes have commenced, connecting 74 airports including 9 Heliports & 2 Water Aerodromes.
The Minister also explained that the role of the Ministry of Civil Aviation is of a facilitator, not a regulator.
