Airports in India — List of Domestic & International Airports in India

Airports in India

As Ibn Battuta says "Travelling — it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller". This holds true for even novice travellers. Travelling clears the confusion and opens your mind to new vistas. Since the Wright Brothers made the first flight in 1903, it has been very convenient and safe for millions of passengers to fly to destinations far away with no hesitations. Air travel offers a comfortable, safe and hassle-free journey to reach your dream destinations.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI), a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Indian Government is responsible for the creation, upgradation, maintenance and management of civil aviation infrastructure in India. This article from Veranda RACE will serve as a comprehensive guide about the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the list of domestic and international airports available in India.

Airports Authority of India (AAI)

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was formed on 1 April 1995 by merging the erstwhile National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India through an Act of Parliament, the Airports Authority of India Act, 1994. It serves as a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. The AAI ensures that every airport in India (irrespective of whether it is domestic or international) is designed, created, maintained and upgraded to make air travel a breeze.

At present, the AAI holds control over a total of 153 airports in India, including 29 International airports (3 Civil Enclaves), 10 Customs Airports (4 Civil Enclaves) and 114 Domestic airports (23 Civil Enclaves). It also provides Air Traffic Management Services (ATMS) over the entirety of the Indian air space and adjoining oceanic areas with ground installations at all domestic and international airports to ensure the safety of aircraft operations in India.

The major functions of the AAI are as follows:

It undertakes the design, development, operation and maintenance of international and domestic airports and civil enclaves in India. It controls and manages the Indian airspace extending beyond the territorial limits of India, as accepted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It constructs, modifies and manages the passenger terminals of the Indian airports. It involves itself in the development and management of cargo terminals at international and domestic airports in India. It expands and strengthens the operation areas such as the runways, aprons and taxiways in domestic and international airports.

International Airports in India - Complete List:

There are a total of 29 international airports in India where 24 are maintained by the AAI. The Airport Authority of India maintains a well-established network of international airports in India that plays a crucial role in connecting India to faraway destinations without any hitches.

These 29 international airports in India play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless connectivity between our country and other countries of the world. These international airports in India remain vital hubs for business as well as tourism for millions of domestic as well as international air travel passengers. They also help in establishing India's presence on a global stage, fostering economic growth and promoting local and medical tourism.

The below table showcases the list of international airports in India that are maintained by the Airports Authority of India and other managements.

Domestic Airports in India - Complete List

India boasts an extensive cluster of domestic airports that fosters seamless domestic air travel across the nooks and corners of India. Totally, India contains a total of 114 domestic airports. Out of these 114 domestic airports, 55 are operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), 20 are AAI Civil Enclaves (Operational), 3 are AAI Civil Enclaves (Non-operational) and 11 are either joint ventures or state or private operational.

These domestic airports in India often connect major metropolitan centres, cities, towns and even far-away villages to facilitate efficient air travel. They are instrumental to the economic development of those regions, promote regional tourism in India and build up the transportation infrastructure of India.

The below table showcases the list of domestic airports and civil enclaves in India that are maintained by the Airports Authority of India and other managements.

Customs Airports in India - Complete List:

Some airports are accorded the Customs status by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Surat Airport was the latest airport that was listed as a customs airport by the AAI in 2019 on its website after Pune, Patna, Bagdogra, Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, Madurai, Aurangabad and Gaya. There are a total of 10 customs airport in India at present.

Recent Updates in 2024 & 2025:

PM Modi Inaugurates Three Domestic Airports: Oct 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three domestic airports, developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) on 20 October 2024, from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. These three domestic airports are: Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Ambikapur in Chhatisgarh and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Flights under RCS-UDAN will begin from these airports shortly.

The RCS- UDAN, a Union-government-backed initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in India, especially in remote and underserved regions, completes eight years. It is a vital component of India's National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016, launched by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 21 October 2016, with a 10-year vision.

Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu Assumes Charge as the Union Minister of Civil Aviation

Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu officially assumed charge of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi in June 2024. He reaffirmed the Union Government’s unwavering dedication to make India the world's leading domestic aviation market.

India hosts 2^nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation: Sept 2024

Under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation successfully organised the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation on 11 and 12 September 2024 in New Delhi, India. As a major achievement, Delhi Declaration was proclaimed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the APAC-MC. The conference was attended by Hon'ble Ministers and high-level dignitaries from twenty-nine (29) Asia Pacific countries. Further, the conference was also attended by other aviation related International Organisations such as IATA, ACI, etc. and representatives from ICAO.

Union Minister Rammohan Naidu inaugurates Udan Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport: Feb 2025

Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, inaugurated the UDAN Yatri Cafe at Chennai Airport, marking the second such facility in India. The first UDAN Yatri Cafe was inaugurated on 19 December 2024, at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, commemorating the 100^thanniversary of the historic airport.

The Kolkata Udan Yatri Cafe has been a resounding success, with travellers expressing high satisfaction with the quality, taste and cost of the offerings. Following immense passenger demand, the initiative is now being expanded nationwide.

Union Minister Rammohan Naidu inaugurates Udan Yatri Café in Ahmedabad: March 2025

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu inaugurated Udaan Yatri Café at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, marking a significant milestone in the Union Government’s initiative to enhance passenger facilities at airports across India. The Udan Yatri Café aims to provide quality food at accessible prices, making airport dining more affordable for passengers. The café’s introduction is part of a broader strategy to modernise airport infrastructure, while ensuring that air travel remains a viable option for more people.