India to have 220 Airports by 2027 says Scindia

The number of operational airports has increased from 74 to 141 between 2014 and at present. 
Also, the aircraft with India carriers have gone up from 410 to 686 in the same period. Union aviation minister J M Scindia on Monday said in a Parliamentary reply to a question from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi the number of pilot licences issued by DGCA in this period rose from 28,599 to 40,276; flying schools have gone up from 29 to 34 and will further increase to 49 in coming times and licenses have been issued to three new airlines.
“Seventy-four airports were functional in the country till 2014. At present, there are 141 operational airports including 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes. Moreover, government plans to develop/operationalise 220 airports in the next 5 years,” Scindia said in Rajya Sabha.
“As on July 25, 2022, aircraft fleet stands at 686, compared to 410 pre 2014. Further, aircraft fleet is expected to grow by 10-12% in the coming years. Fleet expansion is a continuous process and decisions to be taken in accordance with demands of aviation sector by airlines.”
“As per DGCA, there were 40 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in June 2014. After extensive review in FY16, 11 FTOs were closed following non-compliance with requirements. As on March 31, 2022, there are 34 FTOs. 
15 new FTOs expected to be added by December 2023 taking the count to 49. Of these 15, 4 have already commenced operations during Q1 FY23, 2 at Kalaburgi (Karnataka) and 1 each at Jalgaon (Maharashtra) and Lilabari (Assam),” he said.
“Cumulative number of pilot licenses issued by DGCA stand at 40,276 as on date. Prior to 2014, the number stood at 28,599. Given the fleet projection, India expects to require 1,000 pilots per annum over the next 5 years. 
Further, DGCA has also issued Air Operate Certificates to Jet Airways, Akasa Air and IndiaOne Air for undertaking scheduled commuter air transport services,” the minister added.
-B