India Plans 50 New Airports in Five Years, Major Boost for Real Estate Sector

India is set to witness a major aviation expansion as the government plans to develop 50 new airports over the next five years, a move expected to significantly benefit the country’s real estate sector. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced the plan while highlighting the strong growth trajectory of India’s aviation market and its multiplier effect on urban development.

Currently, India has 165 operational airports and continues to rank among the fastest growing civil aviation markets in the world. On average, a new airport or terminal is being built every 33 days, reflecting the government’s aggressive push towards infrastructure development. According to the minister, airports act as scaffolding for real estate growth by unlocking land value, improving connectivity, and attracting both domestic and global investments.

The impact is expected to be particularly strong in emerging urban corridors and state capitals, including cities such as Chennai, where airport led development has already transformed surrounding micro markets. Improved connectivity typically drives demand for residential housing, commercial office spaces, logistics parks, hotels, and retail developments.

The minister also indicated that efforts are underway to address building height restrictions around airports without compromising aviation safety. This could further ease development constraints in prime urban locations.

India’s real estate sector is projected to reach a market size of one trillion dollars by 2030 and expand to five to seven trillion dollars by 2047. With airport infrastructure acting as a catalyst, the sector is poised for accelerated expansion.

Beyond physical growth, the government is also urging developers to focus on quality of living alongside standards of living. Greater emphasis on rental housing and youth focused developments is expected to shape the next phase of urban transformation.