The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has unveiled an ambitious plan to invest ₹17,000 crore over the next four years to significantly expand and modernise India’s airspace capacity. The move comes as the country experiences unprecedented air traffic growth, with both domestic and international passenger numbers rising sharply.
As part of this large-scale upgrade, AAI will construct or modernise 65 Air Traffic Control (ATC) towers across major airports by 2029. These ATC towers are central to managing aircraft movements, ensuring safety, and reducing congestion. The authority aims to replace older facilities, introduce new automation systems, and enhance the capability of controllers to manage heavier traffic loads.
Approximately 60% of the total investment will be dedicated to civil infrastructure, covering new towers, upgraded control rooms, and structural enhancements, while the remaining 40% will go toward advanced technology. This includes the deployment of next-generation radars, surveillance equipment, automated communication systems, and AI-driven tools to optimise flight routing and reduce delays.
AAI is also prioritising future aviation hubs such as Navi Mumbai, Jewar, Dholera, and Bhogapuram, where new state-of-the-art ATC towers will support high traffic capacity from day one. In addition, several existing metro airports will undergo phased technological upgrades to harmonise operations nationwide.
Officials say the modernisation effort will dramatically improve India’s airspace efficiency, reducing aircraft holding times, enabling more direct routes, and improving on-time performance. With air travel demand expected to double within the decade, this investment positions India to handle the next phase of aviation growth with enhanced safety, speed, and global competitiveness.
