50 New Airports Under UDAN 5.0 Regional Connectivity Plan

Why 50 New Airports Matter

India’s air network has grown rapidly, but many rural and semi‑urban areas still rely on road and rail. UDAN 5.0, the latest phase of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme, aims to bridge that gap by adding 50 new airports across the country. These airports will connect smaller cities to major hubs, reduce travel time, and boost local economies. The plan reflects a broader push to make air travel affordable and accessible for everyday citizens, especially in regions that have been underserved for decades.

The 2025‑26 rollout targets airports that can start operations by the end of 2026, with most of them slated for launch in 2024. Each new facility will support regional airlines, provide a platform for cargo movement, and open up tourism potential. By creating a network of feeder airports, UDAN 5.0 intends to relieve congestion at larger airports and give people closer proximity to air travel.

Below is a detailed list of the 50 airports earmarked for development, including their locations, expected launch timelines, and the primary benefits they bring to their surrounding areas.

List of 50 New Airports

1. Jhansi Airport, Uttar Pradesh – A modern runway will link the historical city to Delhi, reducing flight time from 2.5 hours to under an hour.

2. Ranchi Airport, Jharkhand – The new terminal will serve as a gateway for tourists visiting the Himalayan foothills and nearby tribal villages.

3. Bilaspur Airport, Chhattisgarh – Designed to handle both passenger and cargo flights, it will support the region’s growing steel industry.

4. Gaya Airport, Bihar – A key stop for pilgrims traveling to Bodh Gaya, easing congestion at Patna’s airport.

5. Barmer Airport, Rajasthan – The desert city will get a runway that will help connect remote communities to Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

6. Kumbakonam Airport, Tamil Nadu – This site will serve the cultural heartland of South India, boosting tourist inflow to temples.

7. Bhavnagar Airport, Gujarat – A new terminal will support the textile sector and provide easier access to Surat and Mumbai.

8. Jabalpur Airport, Madhya Pradesh – The upgraded facility will link central India with the national capital more efficiently.

9. Amritsar Airport, Punjab – A new runway will enhance connectivity for the Golden Temple visitors and local businesses.

10. Udaipur Airport, Rajasthan – The historic city’s new airstrip will support the luxury tourism industry and local artisans.

11. Salem Airport, Tamil Nadu – This hub will cater to the rapidly expanding IT and manufacturing sectors in the region.

12. Rourkela Airport, Odisha – An industrial city will benefit from a new cargo terminal for steel exports.

13. Bhuj Airport, Gujarat – The airport will open new trade routes for the Kutch district’s handicrafts and salt farms.

14. Gorakhpur Airport, Uttar Pradesh – The facility will ease travel for commuters to Kolkata and the eastern plains.

15. Aligarh Airport, Uttar Pradesh – Students and professionals will enjoy a faster commute to Delhi and Agra.

16. Baramulla Airport, Jammu & Kashmir – The new runway will support tourism to the Kashmir Valley and improve connectivity for remote villages.

17. Guntur Airport, Andhra Pradesh – The airport will serve the agricultural hub, facilitating quick transport of produce.

18. Jodhpur Airport, Rajasthan – The desert capital will gain a modern terminal to attract heritage tourists.

19. Surat Airport, Gujarat – An upgraded facility will help the textile industry by reducing logistics time.

20. Haldwani Airport, Uttarakhand – The new runway will provide an alternative route for trekkers heading to the Himalayas.

21. Coimbatore Airport, Tamil Nadu – The airport will support the region’s burgeoning textile and manufacturing base.

22. Bhagalpur Airport, Bihar – A new terminal will help local farmers access markets in Mumbai and Delhi.

23. Jammu Airport, Jammu & Kashmir – The facility will enhance travel for both civilians and military personnel.

24. Vishakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh – The coastal city will benefit from improved cargo handling for seafood exports.

25. Lucknow Airport, Uttar Pradesh – A new runway will reduce flight times to Bangalore and Hyderabad.

26. Ghazipur Airport, Uttar Pradesh – The airport will serve the growing industrial cluster near the Ganga.

27. Chandigarh Airport, Chandigarh – The new terminal will support the city’s status as a tech and manufacturing hub.

28. Shimla Airport, Himachal Pradesh – The runway will improve access for tourists during the peak summer season.

29. Rourkela Airport, Odisha – The facility will aid the steel plant’s logistics and boost local employment.

30. Jabalpur Airport, Madhya Pradesh – A modern terminal will connect central India to the national capital more directly.

31. Chennai Airport, Tamil Nadu – A new secondary runway will ease traffic congestion at the main hub.

32. Bilaspur Airport, Chhattisgarh – The airport will support the region’s coal mining and steel manufacturing.

33. Meerut Airport, Uttar Pradesh – The facility will serve the industrial belt around Delhi and Gurgaon.

34. Madurai Airport, Tamil Nadu – The new terminal will help the city attract more religious and cultural tourists.

35. Baramulla Airport, Jammu & Kashmir – The new runway will support tourism and improve supply chains for local farmers.

36. Gurgaon Airport, Haryana – A new terminal will help the IT corridor maintain its connectivity with global partners.

37. Gwalior Airport, Madhya Pradesh – The airport will aid the region’s heritage tourism and local businesses.

38. Trichy Airport, Tamil Nadu – The new runway will support the growing textile and food processing industries.

39. Darbhanga Airport, Bihar – The facility will improve connectivity for the agrarian economy of the region.

40. Ahmedabad Airport, Gujarat – A new terminal will support the city’s expanding logistics and manufacturing sectors.

41. Chandigarh Airport, Chandigarh – The new runway will enhance the city’s status as a regional transport hub.

42. Panvel Airport, Maharashtra – The facility will support the growing IT and biotech industries near Mumbai.

43. Barmer Airport, Rajasthan – The new runway will improve connectivity for the desert region’s oil and gas projects.

44. Gulbarga Airport, Karnataka – The airport will help the local agriculture sector by speeding up export processes.

45. Gwalior Airport, Madhya Pradesh – A new terminal will support the city’s heritage tourism and local businesses.

46. Jalandhar Airport, Punjab – The new runway will aid the region’s textile and sporting goods industry.

47. Vishakhapatnam Airport, Andhra Pradesh – The airport will boost the seafood export chain and improve tourism.

48. Guwahati Airport, Assam – A new terminal will support the northeast’s growing tourism and trade.

49. Haldwani Airport, Uttarakhand – The facility will provide an alternative route for trekkers heading to the Himalayas.

50. Shirdi Airport, Maharashtra – The new runway will support the pilgrimage city’s growing tourist numbers.

51. Amritsar Airport, Punjab – The airport will support the Golden Temple visitors and local businesses.

52. Baramulla Airport, Jammu & Kashmir – The new runway will help tourists reach the Kashmir Valley more easily.

53. Jodhpur Airport, Rajasthan – The new terminal will support heritage tourism and local artisans.

How the Plan Unfolds

UDAN 5.0 follows a phased approach, with initial construction starting in 2023. Airports will be built in collaboration with state governments, private investors, and the Airports Authority of India. Each site undergoes rigorous feasibility studies, ensuring that the runway length, terminal capacity, and safety standards meet national guidelines.

Once built, the airports will host regional airlines such as SpiceJet, GoAir, and Air India Express. These carriers will operate short‑haul routes, making air travel a viable option for business trips, medical emergencies, and tourism. The plan also encourages the use of smaller aircraft that require less runway length, reducing construction costs and environmental impact.

Impact on Local Communities

With new airports, local businesses gain quicker access to national and international markets. Farmers can ship perishable produce faster, while small manufacturers find new distribution channels. Tourism centers, especially in heritage and wildlife regions, will see a rise in visitor numbers, boosting local economies.

Employment opportunities multiply, from construction jobs during the build phase to permanent positions in airport operations, security, and maintenance. The increased connectivity also encourages investment in ancillary services like hotels, restaurants, and transport networks.