India is preparing for a major expansion of its regional aviation network, with the government planning to develop 100 airports over the next decade under the Modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on September 1 that the government plans to spend approximately ₹30,000 crore over the next 10 years to build 100 new airports. The announcement came during the launch of a hub-and-spoke operation at Ahmedabad airport.

The broader Modified UDAN scheme, however, was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026 with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36. It specifically provides for developing 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips.

🚨 India’s Airport Network Set for Another Major Expansion

• India’s operational airport network has expanded substantially over the past decade.
• According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, the number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 165 in July 2026. The Civil Aviation Minister subsequently cited 166 airports in remarks made at Ahmedabad.
• The government now wants to take the expansion much further.
• Under the next phase of UDAN, 100 airports are planned to be developed, particularly to improve air access to areas that remain underserved or unserved.

What Is the Modified UDAN Scheme?

• UDAN stands for Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik.
• The original regional connectivity scheme was designed to make air travel more affordable and connect smaller cities and towns with India’s aviation network.
• The Modified UDAN scheme will operate for 10 years from FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36.
• Its total financial outlay is ₹28,840 crore, backed by budgetary support from the Government of India.
• The new phase is intended to move beyond simply opening routes and focus on the longer-term sustainability of regional aviation infrastructure.

Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities Could Be the Biggest Beneficiaries

• For many smaller cities, an airport can dramatically change how people travel.
• Instead of spending several hours travelling by road or rail to the nearest major airport, passengers could eventually have access to scheduled flights much closer to home.
• Better regional aviation could help:
• Students → access educational hubs more easily
• Patients → reach specialised healthcare centres faster
• Businesses → connect with customers and markets
• Tourists → reach destinations more conveniently
• Professionals → reduce travel time between regional centres

India’s Airport Growth: 2014 vs 2026

One of the most striking figures highlighted by the government is the growth in India’s airport network.

The government says work on a new airport or new terminal has been completed roughly every 40 days over the past 12 years.

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