Airports In India: How Many Are There?

India has almost 486 airports, airstrips, military bases, and flying schools. Commercial flights operate from 123 airports, which include some with both civilian and army use. There are 35 international airports in the country, with 33 or 34 being recognised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The AAI manages around 137 airports in total, including 81 or 103 domestic airports, 10 customs airports, and 23 or 26 civil enclaves at defence airfields.

India's busiest airport

India has a total of 449 airports and airstrips located throughout the country, with 137 of those airports being operated by the government-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI). In 2018, these airports handled over 341 million passengers, making India the third-largest domestic civil aviation market in the world.

The busiest airport in India is the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which serves the National Capital Region of Delhi. In the 2024 financial year, the airport handled more than 73.67 million passengers, making it the tenth busiest airport in the world. The airport has three runways, including a 4,430-metre-long ILS Cat. IIIb runway, and is served by over 50 airlines from across the world.

The second busiest airport in India is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which serves Mumbai. This airport is recognised as the busiest single-runway airport in the world, handling 51.6 million passengers in 2023. The airport features two terminal complexes, with the newer Terminal 2 handling all international flights.

Other major airports in India include Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Chennai International Airport, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, and Cochin International Airport in Kerala.

India's smallest airport

India has a vast network of airports, with over 400 domestic and international airports spread across the country. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) manages around 137 airports, including 81 domestic airports, 34 international airports, 10 customs airports, and 23 civil enclaves at defence airfields.

While some of these airports are large and well-known, such as the Indira Gandhi International Airport, there are also smaller airports that play a crucial role in connecting remote areas to the mainland. Here is some information about five of India's smallest airports:

Baljek Airport, Meghalaya:

Also known as Tura Airport, Baljek Airport is one of the smallest airports in India, with a runway length of just 1,006 meters. This public airport, operated by the AAI, will have flights between Shillong and Tura once it becomes operational.

Kullu-Manali Airport, Himachal Pradesh:

Kullu-Manali Airport, also known as Bhuntar Airport, is located in Bhuntar in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. It has a single runway and two domestic terminals, with direct flights to and from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jubbar-hatti in Shimla. The airport's runway is one of the shortest in India at 1,125 meters.

Shimla Airport, Himachal Pradesh:

Shimla Airport, located in the Jabarhatti region, is 22 kilometres from the city of Shimla. Its runway measures 1,230 meters, making it one of the shortest in the country. Shimla Airport previously served only private jets of VIPs, but now offers direct flights to Delhi for the general public. It has a range of facilities, including baggage trolleys, escorts, scanners, and a shopping complex.

Agatti Airport, Lakshadweep Islands:

Agatti Aerodrome Airport, located on the 7-kilometer-long Agatti Island, is the only airport in the Lakshadweep Islands. With a runway length of 1,129 meters and a single terminal, it is among the smallest regional domestic airports in India. Agatti Airport provides air connectivity between Lakshadweep and the Indian mainland via Kochi and Bangalore airports.

Ambikapur Airport, Chhattisgarh:

Ambikapur Airport, formerly known as Darima Airport, is situated 12 kilometres from Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh. It has a short runway that has been extended to 1,800 meters. The airport is owned and operated by the AAI and is the fourth public airport in Chhattisgarh. It provides air connectivity to the entire northern part of the state.

India's newest airport

India has a vast network of airports, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) managing around 137 airports, including 81 domestic airports, 34 international airports, 10 customs airports, and 23 civil enclaves at defence airfields.

Now, let's take a closer look at India's newest airport:

Noida International Airport (Also known as Jewar Airport)

Noida International Airport (IATA: DXN, ICAO: VIND) is an upcoming international airport under construction near Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. It is situated in the planned YEIDA city and will serve the National Capital Region (NCR). The airport is intended to relieve the traffic load on the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and is planned to be the largest airport in India and Asia. The airport will be developed through a public-private partnership, with Flughafen Zürich AG, the operator of Zurich Airport, winning the bid to build and operate it for 40 years.

The proposed plan includes two runways in its initial phase, expanding to eight runways in the future. It will initially handle 12 million passengers per year, with a capacity of up to 12 crore passengers annually after expansion. The airport will be the third commercial airport in the NCR region.

The project was first proposed in 2001 by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh, but faced several delays and changes in location. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2021, and the airport is expected to be completed by April 2025.

The Noida International Airport will be connected to various highways and expressways, and rapid transit systems are also being planned to provide efficient transport to and from the airport.

India's most beautiful airport

India has a total of 137 airports, including 81-103 domestic airports, 34 international airports, 10 customs airports, and 23-26 civil enclaves at defense airfields.

Now, let's take a look at some of India's most beautiful airports:

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru

The newly opened T2 terminal in Bengaluru is counted among the world's most beautiful airports. It boasts a unique combination of art and technology, offering a distinctive gateway experience. The terminal is designed to accommodate 25 million passengers annually while blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. It has also received recognition for its sustainable design, with a prestigious platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council.

Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi

This airport is a bustling hub and one of the best international airports in India. It offers tasteful aesthetics and a wide range of amenities to ensure a relaxing experience for passengers. It is also the largest international airport in India, constructed on 5,106 acres of land.

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Ladakh

Ladakh's airport is one of the world's highest, sitting at an impressive altitude of 3,256 meters. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding snow-clad mountains, making it a tourist attraction in its own right. All flights take off in the morning to avoid the mountain winds in the afternoon.

Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair

The main airport of the Andaman Islands, also known as Port Blair Airport, is a green paradise. It is located just 2 kilometers south of Port Blair and is currently constructing a new terminal.

Gaggal Airport, Kangra

Nestled in the Himalayan ranges, Gaggal Airport is another breathtakingly beautiful airport in India. It sits at an altitude of 2,525 feet and is surrounded by nature, offering a serene and quiet atmosphere.

Dabolim Airport, Goa

Also known as Goa International Airport, this airport is located close to the seashore, providing a breathtaking setting. It is recognized as one of the most beautiful airports in the country due to its scenic location.

Agatti Airport, Lakshadweep

Agatti Airport, located on a narrow strip of land in the endless blue waters, offers a spectacular runway surrounded by the ocean on both sides. This mesmerizing sight provides an unforgettable experience for travelers.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai

The second busiest airport in India, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport offers a wide range of amenities and unique architecture. Passengers can enjoy fine dining, shopping, and even a library.

These airports showcase a combination of stunning locations, impressive infrastructure, and attention to passenger comfort, contributing to their reputation as India's most beautiful airports.

India's state with the most airports

India has a total of 137 airports, including 34 international airports, 81-103 domestic airports, 10 customs airports, and 23-26 civil enclaves at defence airfields.

The state with the most airports in India is Uttar Pradesh, with 14 airports that will be getting regular commercial flights in the summer of 2024. The recent openings of airports in Ayodhya, Azamgarh, Chitrakoot, Aligarh, Moradabad, and Shravasti have brought the state to the top of the country's aviation link charts. However, it is worth noting that as of 2024, some of these airports were not yet commissioned, and two others were still under construction.

Uttar Pradesh is closely followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat, each of which has eight airports.

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