India Targets New Air Links With 115 Airlines at Routes Asia 2027

India will seek new regional and international air links at Routes Asia 2027, with 115 airlines, participation from more than 55 countries and around 2,500 one-on-one business meetings expected at the event, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said.

Scheduled for March 16–18 in Delhi, the gathering will bring India’s connectivity ambitions into discussions with airlines and participating countries. The government aims to use those engagements to support trade, tourism and wider economic activity.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event’s curtain-raiser, Naidu said improving connections was the next priority following the expansion of India’s airport network.

From Airport Expansion to Better Connectivity

India is the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and aspires to become the third-largest aviation market overall, Naidu said.

“And for that connectivity is very, very important,” he added.

The minister said 66 airports were currently under development, while 55 international routes had been launched over the past 15 months. The next phase would focus on strengthening connections and making better use of the country’s aviation potential.

“So our focus for Routes 2027 is going to be to engage with airlines, to engage with the countries to see how do we unlock the connectivity opportunity that we have,” he said.

Naidu described India’s aviation sector as large, young and among the fastest growing. He said the event would offer an opportunity to pursue future regional and international links as the country’s airport network expands.

Trade and Tourism Drive the Push

The minister linked stronger air connectivity to India’s efforts to deepen trade and manufacturing relationships and make greater use of free trade agreements.

“We know that whenever we have better connectivity, it increases the trade, it increases tourism and it increases the overall economic activity that we have between the countries,” he said.

Better connections were also important for reaching the Indian diaspora and strengthening ties with countries and businesses involved in India’s manufacturing and supply chains, he added.

The expected business meetings will provide a forum for discussing these opportunities with airlines and international participants. Naidu said the government would also draw on India’s experience of hosting major aviation events as it prepares for Routes Asia 2027.

With inputs from ANI