Four new airports join winter schedule
India’s civil aviation ministry finalized the winter flight schedule on Friday, adding four airports to the domestic network. New Amravati, Hissar, Purnia and Rupsi will join 122 existing airports serving scheduled airlines from Oct. 26 through March 28. The ministry reported 26,495 weekly departures across all airports, representing nearly 6 percent growth compared with last winter’s schedule.
IndiGo will operate 15,014 weekly flights under the new schedule, while Air India plans 4,277 departures and Air India Express schedules 3,171 flights. Seven airports will suspend operations during the winter. The country has expanded its airport count from 74 facilities in 2014 to 163 this year.
Government officials aim to increase the number of airports to more than 350 by 2047 as passenger traffic approaches one billion annually. The aviation sector ranks as the world’s third-largest domestic market and supports the nation’s economic development goals. Authorities project the industry will generate 25 million jobs by mid-century.
