India is building many new airports with the hope of expanding its aviation market, similar to the United States.
Better air connectivity is important, but an important question remains, will all these airports be financially viable in the long run?
The Telugu states offer a good example.
In Telangana, Hyderabad Airport is located almost at the centre of the state, making travel convenient for most people. While airports in places like Adilabad or Warangal may improve regional access, their long-term passenger demand remains uncertain.
Andhra Pradesh is different because of its geography. Cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati are located far apart.
Airports in these regions improve connectivity and are likely to remain useful.
However, the viability of several other proposed airports is still unclear. Bhogapuram Airport has already been launched, while more airports are under consideration.
There is also an irony. For many people in Visakhapatnam, a cab ride to Bhogapuram Airport could cost nearly Rs. 4,000. If reaching the airport itself is so expensive, many travelers may prefer trains instead of flights.
This shows that good road connectivity and faster transport matter just as much as airports. An airport alone cannot solve connectivity problems.
This becomes even more important as India expands Vande Bharat and future high-speed rail networks.
Faster rail services could reduce demand for short-distance flights. In such a situation, many smaller airports may struggle to attract enough passengers, increasing the financial burden on the government.
The problem is already visible. Several recently developed airports, including Kushinagar, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Shravasti, Moradabad, and Ajaygarh in North India, have very limited or almost no regular flight operations.
Ayodhya Airport, opened in 2024, is operating but has not yet achieved the level of air traffic that many expected.
Building airports can certainly support tourism and regional development. But without careful planning and realistic demand estimates, many may become underused assets.
Public money should be invested where there is genuine need, ensuring airports are not just impressive infrastructure projects, but sustainable transport hubs for the future.
