66 airports under development, India seeks connectivity opportunities with 115 airlines, 55 countries: Naidu

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday highlighted that 66 airports are currently under development, adding that the next phase of India's aviation landscape would focus on improving connections.

Speaking at the sidelines of Routes Asia 2027 curtain-raiser event, Naidu said that India will use the opportunity to engage with airlines and countries to unlock new regional and international connectivity opportunities, with more than 55 countries and 115 airlines.

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Routes Asia 2027 is scheduled to be held in Delhi from March 16-18, 2027, with the government looking to leverage the event to expand air links and support trade, tourism and broader economic activity.

“We have seen that it has become the third largest domestic aviation market and we aspire to become the third largest aviation market globally. And for that connectivity is very, very important,” Naidu said.

India's focus for the aviation event will be to engage with airlines, to engage with the countries to see how does the country unlock the connectivity opportunity that it has.

He noted that stronger air connectivity would have wider economic implications, particularly as India seeks to deepen trade and manufacturing ties and make greater use of free trade agreements.

“We know that whenever we have better connectivity, it increases the trade, it increases tourism and it increases the overall economic activity that we have between the countries,” he said.

Naidu also highlighted that connectivity was important for linking India with the Indian diaspora as well as countries and businesses that have trade, manufacturing and supply-chain links with the country.

In his address, the civil aviation minister described India's aviation sector as large, young and among the fastest growing, while noting that the government has also expanded international connectivity. Fifty-five international routes have been started over the last 15 months, he said.

The government is also looking to build on India's experience in hosting major aviation events, he said, noting that Routes Asia 2027 would help unlock opportunities for future regional and international connectivity.