Union budget proposes 100 new airports by 2024

The government’s Udan scheme is aimed at making air travel affordable, improving regional connectivity and developing regional airports. The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed creating 100 new airports by 2024 to help growing air traffic under the Udan scheme. “Air traffic has been growing rapidly in the country as compared to global average. One hundred more airports will be developed by 2024 to support Udan scheme.” the Finance Minister said.

“The budget announcement for developing 100 new airports by 2024 is a welcome initiative. It will definitely boost air traffic and tourism in hitherto lesser connected regions in the country. However, the proposed development of new airports must be complemented by a holistic aircraft leasing and financing policy as announced in the last budget. In addition to this, a hike in FDI in aviation is highly warranted. We need more players in the sky, more aircraft to fly more passengers,” said Ankur Bhatia, Managing Director, Amadeus, Indian subcontinent. “This budget also gives wings to aspirations of the common citizens by allocating resources for development of 100 more airports under UDAN scheme by 2024,” Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said.