By Ajay kumar | CEO & Editor-in-chief
New Delhi, India (UNA) :
The Indian aviation sector is facing a stark contrast in infrastructure utilization, as new official data reveals that one in five domestic airports saw minimal operational activity over an eight-month period. According to figures released by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), approximately 20% of operational airports across the country managed two or fewer daily flights between April and November. This underutilization persists despite the government's ongoing efforts to enhance regional connectivity and modernize aviation infrastructure in smaller cities.
The trend reflects a concentration of air traffic in major metropolitan hubs, while regional airports struggle to maintain consistent airline interest. Analysts point toward several factors for this limited activity, including high operational costs for carriers on low-demand routes and the periodic suspension of flights under the regional connectivity scheme. While the physical infrastructure at these locations remains ready, the lack of sustained passenger volume has prevented many Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities from establishing a stable daily flight schedule.
The impact of this low utilization is particularly felt by the AAI and state governments, as maintaining these facilities involves significant fixed costs. Many of these airports were upgraded or inaugurated under initiatives meant to democratize air travel, but commercial viability remains a hurdle. For airlines, the challenge lies in balancing fleet deployment between high-yield trunk routes and the less predictable regional market, often leading to reduced frequencies or complete withdrawals from smaller stations.
Industry experts suggest that improving the "hub and spoke" model is essential to breathe life into these underutilized airports. Bridging the gap between infrastructure availability and commercial demand will require more targeted incentives for regional carriers and improved last-mile connectivity. As the government continues to expand the list of operational airports, the focus is expected to shift toward ensuring that existing assets contribute more effectively to the national aviation growth story.
