Number of air travellers surges to 25 crore in 2025: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu

The number of air travellers in India has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from around 11 crore in 2014 to nearly 25 crore in 2025, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of the pan-India ‘Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025’ from Hindon Airport, the minister highlighted the significant growth of India’s aviation sector. Giving an example, he noted that Hindon Airport, which operated just one flight in 2020, is now connected to 16 cities across the country – a major milestone in regional connectivity.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the Pradhan Sevak of the country, has redefined governance over the past 11 years, anchoring it in service to the people. Drawing inspiration from this vision, we in aviation see every passenger as our priority and every journey as an opportunity to serve with dedication,” Naidu said.

He added that ‘Yatri Sewa Diwas’ is both a celebration of India’s aviation growth and a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to providing a seamless, dignified travel experience. “This initiative carries forward the spirit of Passenger First, rooted in the Prime Minister’s guiding principle of Nation First,” he stressed.

Naidu noted that under PM Modi’s leadership, air travel has been transformed from a luxury for the elite into an accessible mode of transport for the masses. The government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme has played a pivotal role in making air travel more available, affordable, and inclusive.

Looking ahead, the minister announced that all airports across the country will soon be Wi-Fi enabled under the Digital India Mission, further enhancing passenger convenience.

“Under the Prime Minister’s dynamic leadership, we are working towards a Viksit Bharat, built on the foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat. For this, all aviation stakeholders – especially passengers – must support ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives in procurement and services,” Naidu said.