The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has launched its largest ever modernisation of air navigation services to expand the country’s airspace capacity. The programme will upgrade, revamp or build 65 air traffic control (ATC) towers by 2029, with an investment estimated at ₹15,000–17,000 crore. Around 60% of the expenditure will go towards civil works and 40% towards technology.

“We may get enough planes and pilots, but not having enough airspace to navigate will become the single biggest bottleneck for India’s aviation growth,” a senior official told CNBC-TV18.

The programme aims to ease that bottleneck by improving equipment, automation and procedures across airports of varying sizes.

Scope of the plan

Total airports covered: 65 (completion target: 2029)

Investment: ₹15,000–17,000 cr

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