India targets 50 new airports in five years, sees major boost for real estate

India aims to add 50 more airports over the next five years, a move expected to create significant opportunities for the country’s real estate sector, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Friday.

Speaking at the National Urban and Real Estate Development Conclave 2026 organised by real estate industry body Naredco in the national capital, Naidu said airports are the “scaffolding” for the real estate sector.

He added that he is working actively to address issues related to height restrictions for buildings near airports without compromising on aviation safety.

India is one of the world’s fastest growing civil aviation markets and currently has 165 operational airports. On average, a new airport or a new terminal is built every 33 days, the minister said.

Highlighting growth prospects for real estate, Naidu said the sector is projected to be worth $1 trillion by 2030 and is expected to further increase to a valuation of $5-7 trillion by 2047.

He also emphasised the importance of focusing on quality of living along with standards of living in real estate development.

The focus on standards of living will create assets, and with the focus on quality of living “we will be creating well being”, the minister said amid issues of air pollution.

Naidu also stressed the need to prioritise rental housing and develop projects that can be rented out to youngsters.