Statsguru: Building new airports in India's smaller towns and cities

The government has announced an in-principle approval for new airports in 21 locations, mostly places outside the metro cities

Announcements of new airports in smaller towns and cities come just as passenger trends point to an increased need for attention outside metros.

Passenger traffic has been on the rise, and has crept above pre-pandemic levels for domestic flights over the last few months. International traffic is just below 2019 levels, and so is freight movement (charts 1, 2).