Mumbai, The Indian aviation sector is estimated to handle about 500 million passengers annually by 2030 and reach nearly 1 billion by 2047, supported by sustained demand and fleet expansion, with over 1,000 aircraft orders in place, a top industry executive said on Thursday.
Speaking at the Airport 360 Expo 2026, which commenced at Bombay Exhibition Centre, the executive said that India is already among the top three domestic aviation markets globally, with passenger traffic reaching around 412 million in 2025, reflecting strong growth momentum.
"We are already one of the top three domestic aviation markets in the world, and we are continuing to grow rapidly. In 2025 itself, we handled about 4 million passengers and 3.5 million of cargo, which is around 20 per cent higher than the pre-COVID levels," Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd CEO BVJK Sharma said at the event.
The growth would be rapid, but considering that the historical growth has been 10-12 per cent, it could taper down to 5.6 per cent by 2044, he said.
"But, nevertheless, we will see about 500 million passengers very soon, probably before 2030 and a billion passengers by 2047. Our domestic air travel is expected to grow at 17 per cent to start with, year-on-year and also show a steady, very healthy demand," he said.
Infrastructure expansion is progressing at pace, with over 160 operational airports and continued investments under National programmes, he said, adding that aviation contributes nearly USD 54 billion to the economy and supports millions of jobs, with emerging segments, such as MRO, expected to play a significant role in strengthening the ecosystem.
At Navi Mumbai International Airport, capacity is being developed in phases to reach 90 million passengers by 2032, supported by strong connectivity, digital infrastructure, and integrated planning, he said.
As demand continues to rise, the focus will remain on building scalable, efficient, and future-ready airport ecosystems to support India's next phase of aviation growth, Sharma added.
Addressing the conference, Sharad Kumar, Chief Advisor, Airports Authority of India, said that India's aviation sector is entering a defining phase where growth must be supported by clear strategic choices.
"Globally, the industry is being shaped by digital transformation, sustainability, and deeper integration across aviation, logistics, tourism, and trade. At the same time, recent geopolitical developments have highlighted the sector's vulnerability, impacting routes, costs, and operational efficiency," he said.
In this context, India has a strong advantage with rising demand, expanding infrastructure, and a clear vision to scale to around 350 airports by 2047, he said, adding that initiatives, such as UDAN, have strengthened regional connectivity, and the next phase will focus on long-term viability, efficiency, and network integration.
A key priority ahead is to reduce dependence on foreign hubs for international traffic and capture greater value across airlines, MRO, cargo, and airport-led services. Strengthening hub infrastructure, enabling policy frameworks, and leveraging technology will be critical to positioning India as a global aviation hub, he stated.
Organised by Media Fusion, the second edition of the two-day-long Airport360 Expo has brought together over 2,500 industry professionals, more than 70 exhibitors, over 200 aviation experts and decision-makers, and participation from over 10 countries, including Germany, Singapore, Oman, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Thailand.
Speaking at the Airport 360 Expo 2026, which commenced at Bombay Exhibition Centre, the executive said that India is already among the top three domestic aviation markets globally, with passenger traffic reaching around 412 million in 2025, reflecting strong growth momentum.
"We are already one of the top three domestic aviation markets in the world, and we are continuing to grow rapidly. In 2025 itself, we handled about 4 million passengers and 3.5 million of cargo, which is around 20 per cent higher than the pre-COVID levels," Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd CEO BVJK Sharma said at the event.
The growth would be rapid, but considering that the historical growth has been 10-12 per cent, it could taper down to 5.6 per cent by 2044, he said.
"But, nevertheless, we will see about 500 million passengers very soon, probably before 2030 and a billion passengers by 2047. Our domestic air travel is expected to grow at 17 per cent to start with, year-on-year and also show a steady, very healthy demand," he said.
Infrastructure expansion is progressing at pace, with over 160 operational airports and continued investments under National programmes, he said, adding that aviation contributes nearly USD 54 billion to the economy and supports millions of jobs, with emerging segments, such as MRO, expected to play a significant role in strengthening the ecosystem.
At Navi Mumbai International Airport, capacity is being developed in phases to reach 90 million passengers by 2032, supported by strong connectivity, digital infrastructure, and integrated planning, he said.
As demand continues to rise, the focus will remain on building scalable, efficient, and future-ready airport ecosystems to support India's next phase of aviation growth, Sharma added.
Addressing the conference, Sharad Kumar, Chief Advisor, Airports Authority of India, said that India's aviation sector is entering a defining phase where growth must be supported by clear strategic choices.
"Globally, the industry is being shaped by digital transformation, sustainability, and deeper integration across aviation, logistics, tourism, and trade. At the same time, recent geopolitical developments have highlighted the sector's vulnerability, impacting routes, costs, and operational efficiency," he said.
In this context, India has a strong advantage with rising demand, expanding infrastructure, and a clear vision to scale to around 350 airports by 2047, he said, adding that initiatives, such as UDAN, have strengthened regional connectivity, and the next phase will focus on long-term viability, efficiency, and network integration.
A key priority ahead is to reduce dependence on foreign hubs for international traffic and capture greater value across airlines, MRO, cargo, and airport-led services. Strengthening hub infrastructure, enabling policy frameworks, and leveraging technology will be critical to positioning India as a global aviation hub, he stated.
Organised by Media Fusion, the second edition of the two-day-long Airport360 Expo has brought together over 2,500 industry professionals, more than 70 exhibitors, over 200 aviation experts and decision-makers, and participation from over 10 countries, including Germany, Singapore, Oman, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Thailand.
