New Delhi: India’s Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu emphasised the pivotal role of aviation in shaping the country’s tourism landscape, adding that 80% of foreign tourists arriving in India are coming by air. Speaking at a recent event, the minister outlined how the country’s expanding aviation network has been instrumental in connecting India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes to global tourists.
“Civil aviation carries a significant responsibility as more than 80% of foreign travellers arriving in India come by air. Out of this, over 35% are visiting for holidays and recreation. We have witnessed a growing trend, with 4.6 crore travellers landing in India in 2014 and today, with the number of airports increased from 74 to 157, we see nearly 7 crore travellers arriving annually,” he said.
Naidu said that India’s expanding network of international flights is linking the country hubs to key global airports, making it easier for foreign tourists to experience our diverse wonders.
He acknowledged that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, air travel has become more inclusive. “We are connecting previously unserved and underserved airports, bringing the hidden gems of India closer to travellers. One of the most revolutionary schemes driving this connectivity is the UDAN scheme. His vision—Hawaii Chappal to Hawaii Jahaj—has become a reality, and today, we have operationalised almost 500 routes under the RCS UDAN scheme.”
Naidu shared how several RCS airports have become thriving hubs for tourism, such as Teju Airport in Arunachal Pradesh, Kannur Airport in Kerala, and Kishangarh Airport near Ajmer, Rajasthan. “These airports were developed under the RCS scheme and are now witnessing a surge in tourist traffic. In my native state of Andhra Pradesh, the Kadapa airport, developed under RCS, is enhancing connectivity in the Rayalaseema region, benefitting many tourists. Our aim is to connect more of these hinterland locations by building additional airports.”
Looking ahead, the minister outlined ambitious plans for taking the number of airports to 350. “Currently, India has 157 airports, but as we work towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, we aim to increase this number to 350. To achieve this, we are committed to working in tandem with the tourism sector to create a more connected and accessible India, enabling travellers to explore the vast treasures our country has to offer,” Naidu said.
Emphasising that Civil aviation and tourism are intrinsically connected, he also highlighted the collaborative vision shared by the two sectors. While many countries have a single ministry handling both sectors, India, due to its size and scale, has two. “Even though we are two people managing these portfolios, we carry the same vision and goal: to elevate India as a world-class tourism destination,” he remarked, adding that this inter-ministerial collaboration will only deepen going forward.
The minister concluded by reaffirming India’s commitment to providing world-class hospitality to visitors. “Civil aviation is the gateway to India, and we take great responsibility in ensuring that from the moment travellers step off the plane, they feel the warmth and grace of India,” he said, stressing the significance of creating an inclusive, seamless travel experience for all.
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