India’s airport infrastructure is entering a new expansion cycle. As per data, the country has 165 operational airports by July 2026, compared with 74 in 2014, while 25 greenfield airports have been approved since 2014. Moving forward, the next phase combines new airport development, regional connectivity and expansion of existing airports.

So, the developments come with lot of opportunities for contractors and suppliers with such emerging large terminal projects—from runways and aprons to electrical systems, baggage handling, security, cargo infrastructure and maintenance.

Modified UDAN to Drive Regional Airport Development

The Modified UDAN scheme, approved in 2026, has an outlay of ₹28,840 crore for FY2026–27 to FY2035–36. It targets the development of 100 aerodromes from existing unserved airstrips and 200 modern helipads. Around ₹12,159 crore is allocated for the 100 aerodromes.

This could create a distributed pipeline of tenders for:

• Airstrip and runway development

• Terminal and passenger facilities

• Aprons and taxiways

• Airfield lighting

• Fire and safety infrastructure

• Electrical and utility works

• Airport access roads

• Operations and maintenance

For regional contractors, this creates opportunities beyond India's major metro airports.

Greenfield Airports: Large Projects, Multiple Tender Packages

Greenfield airports require infrastructure to be built from the ground up. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has identified projects including Bhogapuram, Dholera and Hassan, with several other greenfield airports receiving site clearance.

A greenfield airport can generate tenders across the full project lifecycle:

Planning → Site development → Runway & taxiway → Apron → Terminal → MEP & electrical → Security & CNS/ATM → Utilities → O&M

Dholera has illustrated how procurement can continue across different stages, with AAI issuing tenders for specialist electrical and other airport works.

Brownfield Airport Expansion: A Consistent Tender Market

Existing airports are also undergoing capacity expansion and modernisation.

At Jalgaon Airport, AAI issued a ₹292.8 crore EPC tender covering domestic terminal expansion, parking, refurbishment, apron expansion and a GSE area.

At Kolkata Airport, an AAI tender for apron extension and allied works was estimated at ₹337.14 crore.

These projects create opportunities for civil contractors, electrical and MEP companies, equipment suppliers and specialist aviation contractors.

Airport Infrastructure Goes Beyond Terminals

Airport procurement covers a much wider range of infrastructure:

The airport connectivity market is particularly important. New airports require supporting roads, expressway links, parking, logistics infrastructure and public transport connections. This means relevant tenders can come from road authorities and state infrastructure agencies—not only airport operators.

O&M Creates Recurring Airport Tender Opportunities

Airport procurement does not end after construction. Operational airports continue to require civil maintenance, electrical works, runway and apron repairs, landscaping, security systems, utilities and facility management.

The Modified UDAN programme's provision for operations and maintenance support further highlights the importance of this recurring market.

What This Means for Airport Tenders

India's airport expansion is creating a multi-layered tender market:

New airports → Brownfield expansion → Airport systems → Connectivity → O&M

For contractors and suppliers, the opportunity is not limited to winning a major airport EPC contract. A single airport project can generate multiple tenders across civil construction, steel and building materials, electrical systems, MEP, security, baggage handling, cargo, roads and maintenance.

For TenderBook, airport infrastructure is therefore a sector worth tracking from project announcement to individual tender packages—helping businesses identify where India's aviation investment is translating into actual procurement opportunities.

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