Sector Snapshot · Transport Services

India's Aviation Sector Doubles Down on Airport Expansion

A fast-read primer on India's transport services sector, led by aviation and logistics — the backdrop against which we benchmark every company's cost structure in this category.

India's rank as largest domestic aviation market

350.49 mn

Air passenger traffic, FY26 (till Jan)

US$512 bn

Travel & tourism's contribution to GDP by 2028

163

Operational airports, 2025 (from 74 in 2014)

2,200+

Aircraft India will require by 2042

Passenger Traffic and Airport Infrastructure Both Keep Expanding

Air travel demand has grown consistently, matched by a rapidly expanding airport network.

Air Passenger Traffic (million)

FY22 → FY25

188.89mn

FY22

411.77mn

FY25

Operational Airports

2014 → 2025

2014

163

2025

What's Pushing the Sector Forward

Scale, rapid infrastructure expansion, and consistent policy support define this sector.

Scale

3rd-largest domestic aviation market globally

Infrastructure Expansion

Airport network more than doubled since 2014, to 163 airports

Policy Support

100% FDI permitted; automatic up to 49% for scheduled airlines

Recent Developments

A sample of the industry-wide and policy moves shaping the sector through early 2026.

→ India's airport network expanded from 74 airports in 2014 to 163 as of 2025.
→ Domestic passenger traffic is estimated to rise 7-10% YoY in FY26, reaching 175-181 million.
→ India's aviation infrastructure received over Rs96,000 crore in capex between FY20 and FY25.
→ India will require 2,200+ aircraft by 2042 to meet demand.
→ Travel and tourism's contribution to GDP is projected to reach $512 billion by 2028.
→ New airports and terminals were inaugurated at Patna, Datia, Satna, Amravati, Tuticorin and Purnea in 2025.

Companies We Benchmark in This Sector

Listed Indian Transport Services companies in tDoBe's cost-benchmarking coverage.

Interglobe Aviation

Container Corporation

Delhivery

GE Shipping Co

SCI

Shadowfax Technologies

Blue Dart Express

Shreeji Shipping Global

Blackbuck (Zinka Logistics)

Transport Corporation of India

TVS Supply Chain Solutions

VRL Logistics

Mahindra Logistics

Kornex Microsystems

Afcom Holdings

SEAMEC Ltd

Gateway Distriparks

TCI Express

See How These Companies Compare on Cost

The numbers above set the stage. Our Report translates it into a company-by-company cost benchmark — down to the category — so you can see exactly where a business sits against its peers.

Explore the Transport Services Report

Compiled from public government and industry sources, February 2026 update · Figures rounded · tDoBe sector snapshot, for informational purposes