Expanding Airports and Connectivity
India’s airport network increased from 74 airports in 2014 to 164 in 2025. Developments during the year included the inauguration of Datia and Satna airports, the new civil enclave at Purnea and Navi Mumbai International Airport. New terminal facilities were also inaugurated at Patna, Tuticorin and Hollongi. In-principle approvals were granted for three greenfield airport projects at Puri, Parandur and Kota.
Airport operators and developers, including the Airports Authority of India (AAI), incurred approximately ₹12,592 crore in capital expenditure during April–December 2025. This included approximately ₹3,652 crore by AAI and ₹8,940 crore by other airport operators and developers.
Strengthening Regional Air Services
The Regional Connectivity Scheme—Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS–UDAN)—continued to support air services to unserved and underserved destinations. The Annual Report records cumulative operationalisation of 657 routes connecting 93 airports, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes. More than 159 lakh passengers had travelled on approximately 3.34 lakh flights under the scheme.
Cumulative expenditure on airport revival and development under RCS reached ₹4,640.04 crore as at 31 December 2025. In the North Eastern Region, the report records operationalisation of 90 priority RCS routes.
Supporting Passenger and Cargo Movement
Scheduled domestic airlines carried 165.5 million passengers in financial year 2024–25, compared with 153.7 million in 2023–24, representing growth of 7.7%. International routes served by scheduled Indian and foreign carriers carried 74.14 million passengers in 2024–25, compared with 66.8 million in the preceding financial year.
Air cargo handled increased from 2.53 million metric tonnes in 2014–15 to 3.72 million metric tonnes in 2024–25. During April–December 2025, 2.98 million metric tonnes of cargo were handled.
Improving Passenger Services
Digi Yatra, which uses facial verification technology for contactless passenger processing, had been introduced at 24 airports. By December 2025, passengers had used the facility more than eight crore times. The initiative received a Gold Award under the National Awards for e-Governance Scheme 2024–25.
The UDAN Yatri Café initiative expanded to seven airports, offering affordable refreshments. A permanent, round-the-clock Passenger Assistance Control Room was established in December 2025 to monitor aviation operations and coordinate assistance for passengers facing delays, cancellations, refund issues and baggage problems.
Modernising Aviation Legislation
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 came into force on 1 January 2025, replacing the Aircraft Act, 1934. It provides the legislative framework for regulating aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance and operations.
The Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025 were notified on 25 June 2025, transferring responsibility for the relevant aeronautical examinations and licensing from the Department of Telecommunications to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 were notified on 7 November 2025. The Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025 came into force on 1 May 2025 to support the aircraft leasing and financing framework.
Strengthening Safety Oversight and Investigation Capability
During 2025, DGCA conducted 3,946 planned surveillance activities, 492 domestic ramp inspections and 84 foreign ramp inspections. It also carried out 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance activities.
A Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder Laboratory was inaugurated on 9 April 2025 at a cost of ₹9 crore, strengthening domestic accident investigation capability. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau also entered into cooperation arrangements with technical institutions to support investigations and capability development.
Building Aviation Security Capabilities
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security accredited nine additional Aviation Security Training Institutes during 2025, bringing the total to 45. Its training programme covered 2,458 batches across different security courses.
The report records 1,62,172 appearances across aviation security courses and certifications, including 92,921 participants in an online awareness programme for non-security personnel. These activities supported security training, certification and preparedness across the aviation sector.
Developing Aviation Skills and Digital Licensing
DGCA issued 1,652 Commercial Pilot Licences in 2025—the highest annual number recorded in the report’s ten-year comparison. Electronic Personnel Licences for pilots were launched on 20 February 2025, making digital licences accessible through the eGCA mobile application.
The Aviation Career Guidance Programme, launched in April 2025 for students in Classes 11 and 12, reached more than 12,000 students across 129 schools during the year.
Supporting Maintenance and Aircraft Leasing
The number of maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in India increased from 96 in 2014 to 166 in 2025. A LEAP aircraft engine maintenance facility was inaugurated in Hyderabad on 26 November 2025, adding to the country’s aviation maintenance infrastructure.
As at 31 December 2025, 38 entities were registered for aircraft leasing business at GIFT International Financial Services Centre. They had leased 370 aviation assets, comprising 196 aircraft, 89 engines and 85 items of ground support equipment.
Advancing Sustainable Aviation
As at 31 December 2025, 98 airports had switched to 100% green energy usage. The Government approved indicative Sustainable Aviation Fuel blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030, initially for international flights. These are future targets, rather than achieved blending levels.
India also participated in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s assistance, capacity-building and training initiative for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The resulting India feasibility study was launched in September 2025.
Developing the Drone Ecosystem
As at 31 December 2025, DGCA had approved 233 drone training schools, which had certified 37,182 drone pilots. It had also issued 145 type certificates and registered 38,083 drones with Unique Identification Numbers.
The Annual Report records total utilisation of ₹98.32 crore over three financial years under the Production Linked Incentive scheme for drones and drone components.
International Engagement and Public Accountability
India was re-elected to Part II of the International Civil Aviation Organization Council for the 2025–2028 term, securing 158 votes. India also received the ICAO Council President’s Certificate recognising progress in its aviation safety oversight system. The Ministry facilitated the International Air Transport Association’s Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in New Delhi in June 2025.
During calendar year 2025, the Ministry received 7,232 grievances through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System and disposed of 6,995 cases, including cases carried forward from earlier periods. The report also records receipt of 1,441 Right to Information applications and 41 appeals, which were disposed of within the prescribed time.
