India’s Airports: Growth and Distribution by 2025
By 2025, India is projected to have 487 airports, with varying distribution across states, affecting connectivity and economic growth.
India’s airports serve as gateways to the sky, linking cities, towns, and even remote regions. By 2025, the total number of airports in India is expected to reach an impressive 487, which includes commercial airports, international airports, and smaller airstrips.
However, not every state or Union Territory (UT) boasts the same quantity of airports—some are abundant with runways, while others may have only one or none at all.
In this discussion, we will examine the total number of airports in India in 2025, identify the leading states, and understand the significance of airports.
Total airports in every Indian State
| Rank | State/Union Territory | Total Number of Airports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | 20 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 18 |
| 3 | Uttar Pradesh | 16 |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 15 |
| 5 | Karnataka | 14 |
| 6 | Madhya Pradesh | 13 |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 12 |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 11 |
| 9 | Assam | 10 |
| 10 | Kerala | 10 |
| 11 | West Bengal | 9 |
| 12 | Odisha | 8 |
| 13 | Bihar | 7 |
| 14 | Chhattisgarh | 7 |
| 15 | Jharkhand | 6 |
| 16 | Telangana | 6 |
| 17 | Arunachal Pradesh | 5 |
| 18 | Haryana | 5 |
| 19 | Himachal Pradesh | 5 |
| 20 | Punjab | 5 |
| 21 | Uttarakhand | 5 |
| 22 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 4 |
| 23 | Goa | 4 |
| 24 | Jammu and Kashmir | 4 |
| 25 | Manipur | 3 |
| 26 | Delhi | 2 |
| 27 | Nagaland | 2 |
| 28 | Tripura | 2 |
| 29 | Chandigarh | 1 |
| 30 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 1 |
| 31 | Lakshadweep | 1 |
| 32 | Meghalaya | 1 |
| 33 | Mizoram | 1 |
| 34 | Puducherry | 1 |
| 35 | Sikkim | 1 |
| 36 | Ladakh | 0 |
Percentage share of every state in Airports
| Rank | State/Union Territory | % Share of Airports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gujarat | 4.11% |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 3.70% |
| 3 | Uttar Pradesh | 3.29% |
| 4 | Tamil Nadu | 3.08% |
| 5 | Karnataka | 2.87% |
| 6 | Madhya Pradesh | 2.67% |
| 7 | Rajasthan | 2.46% |
| 8 | Andhra Pradesh | 2.26% |
| 9 | Assam | 2.05% |
| 10 | Kerala | 2.05% |
| 11 | West Bengal | 1.85% |
| 12 | Odisha | 1.64% |
| 13 | Bihar | 1.44% |
| 14 | Chhattisgarh | 1.44% |
| 15 | Jharkhand | 1.23% |
| 16 | Telangana | 1.23% |
| 17 | Arunachal Pradesh | 1.03% |
| 18 | Haryana | 1.03% |
| 19 | Himachal Pradesh | 1.03% |
| 20 | Punjab | 1.03% |
| 21 | Uttarakhand | 1.03% |
| 22 | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 0.82% |
| 23 | Goa | 0.82% |
| 24 | Jammu and Kashmir | 0.82% |
| 25 | Manipur | 0.62% |
| 26 | Delhi | 0.41% |
| 27 | Nagaland | 0.41% |
| 28 | Tripura | 0.41% |
| 29 | Chandigarh | 0.21% |
| 30 | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu | 0.21% |
| 31 | Lakshadweep | 0.21% |
| 32 | Meghalaya | 0.21% |
| 33 | Mizoram | 0.21% |
| 34 | Puducherry | 0.21% |
| 35 | Sikkim | 0.21% |
| 36 | Ladakh | 0.00% |
Leading States with the Highest Number of Airports
This overview highlights the top 10 states and Union Territories (UTs) in India for the year 2025, ranked by the total number of airports and their percentage share of the overall 487 airports:
Gujarat (20 airports, 4.11% share): Gujarat ranks first with 20 airports, including Ahmedabad and Surat. The demand for runways in its trade and tourism centers establishes it as a prominent player on the map of airports in India.
Maharashtra (18 airports, 3.70%): Maharashtra boasts 18 airports, featuring Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International, recognized as one of the top 5 airports in India. The state is a hub for business and travel activities.
Uttar Pradesh (16 airports, 3.29%): Uttar Pradesh operates 16 airports, such as those in Lucknow and Varanasi, catering to its large population. The introduction of new greenfield airports in India, like Jewar (Noida), enhances its ranking.
Tamil Nadu (15 airports, 3.08%): Tamil Nadu is home to 15 airports, including Chennai and Coimbatore, which facilitate access to its industrial and tourist attractions.
Karnataka (14 airports, 2.87%): Karnataka features 14 airports, including Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International (another of India’s top 5 airports), linking its technology hub to global destinations.
Madhya Pradesh (13 airports, 2.67%): Madhya Pradesh has 13 airports, including Bhopal and Indore, connecting the cities and tourist sites of central India.
Rajasthan (12 airports, 2.46%): Rajasthan operates 12 airports, including Jaipur, which serve its expansive deserts and tourist attractions.
Andhra Pradesh (11 airports, 2.26%): Andhra Pradesh has 11 airports, such as Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, which support its coastal trade and development.
Assam (10 airports, 2.05%): Assam features 10 airports, including Guwahati, linking the Northeast region to the rest of India.
Kerala (10 airports, 2.05%): Kerala has 10 airports, including Kochi and Trivandrum, which manage tourist traffic and spice exports.
Where Are the Gaps?
Certain states and Union Territories (UTs) possess either a single airport or none at all. For instance, Ladakh has no commercial airports, only military airstrips. Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Sikkim, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu each feature one airport, typically small facilities catering to local flights. Even Delhi, which has only two airports, heavily depends on the largest airport in India, Indira Gandhi International, to accommodate the majority of its air traffic. Smaller states such as Nagaland and Tripura, each with two airports, face limitations in runway availability due to their hilly landscapes or insufficient demand.
Why the Big Differences?
The number of airports in India varies for several reasons:
- Population and Size: Larger states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat require more airports to serve their populations and extensive land areas.
- Economy: States like Maharashtra and Karnataka boast busy airports, such as those in Mumbai and Bengaluru, catering to business and technology travelers.
- Tourism: Regions like Rajasthan and Kerala necessitate airports to accommodate tourists visiting attractions in cities like Jaipur and Kochi.
- Government Plans: The UDAN scheme, which promotes the establishment of domestic airports across India, has resulted in the addition of airports in regions like Arunachal Pradesh, which now has five airports.
How Airports Are Growing
India is projected to have 487 airports by 2025, indicating significant growth.
The total number of international airports in India stands at 34, facilitating global flights, while new greenfield airports, such as those in Jewar and Navi Mumbai, are contributing to this increase.
The airport map of India reveals clusters in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra; however, initiatives like UDAN are introducing airports in remote areas such as Assam and Manipur, thereby enhancing connectivity for smaller towns.
What’s Next for India’s Airports?
The number of airports in India is expected to continue rising, with plans to establish 300 airports by 2030.
States like Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh are in the process of constructing new facilities, while international airports in India, such as those in Delhi and Mumbai, remain among the top five best airports in the country due to their excellent amenities.
Airports play a crucial role beyond aviation—they are vital for job creation, tourism, and economic growth.
Source
- Airports Authority of India. (2024, September 30). Airport statistics: Operational airports in India. https://www.aai.aero/en/airports/statistics
- India Brand Equity Foundation. (2024, August 10). Aviation sector in India. https://www.ibef.org/industry/indian-aviation
- Press Information Bureau. (2024, July 20). UDAN scheme: Progress on regional airport development. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2035678
