India Plans Tirupati Airport Expansion for Delhi, Gulf Routes

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu has announced plans for additional flight services from Tirupati Airport (TIR) to Delhi, along with improved connectivity to other major pilgrimage centers and Gulf destinations. The initiative aims to meet growing passenger demand, which saw domestic traffic at the airport reach 93,662 in December 2025, according to Airports Authority of India data. The minister confirmed the plans after offering prayers at the Srikalahasti Temple.

This Tirupati Airport flight expansion is part of a broader government strategy to enhance regional air connectivity and capitalize on the significant growth in religious tourism in India. The move reflects a focus on developing airport infrastructure in Tier-2 cities to support both domestic and international travel. Upon assuming office, the minister stated his priority is to create an 'ease of flying' scenario and make air travel more accessible, with a particular focus on developing connectivity from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Government Focus and Budgetary Support

The minister stated the Centre is working to "expand air services to religious hubs such as Shirdi and strengthen international connectivity to Gulf countries, in view of growing passenger demand." This strategic direction is supported by the Union Budget for 2026-27, which allocated ₹2,102.87 crore to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India. This figure represents a modest rise from the revised estimate of ₹2,055.49 crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

A significant portion of this funding is directed towards programs like the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which received a specific allocation of ₹550 crore in the 2026-27 budget. The scheme is designed to revive unserved and underserved airports, making the planned expansion at Tirupati a direct implementation of this national policy. The government's PRASHAD scheme, aimed at pilgrimage destination development, has also been a key driver, having sanctioned 46 projects totaling USD 200 million by January 2024, according to the India Ministry of Tourism.

Rising Passenger Demand and Market Trends

Minister Ram Mohan Naidu noted that "the steady rise in passenger traffic at Tirupati Airport reflected the increasing preference for air travel." This observation is supported by wider industry trends. According to market data, increased air travel to religious and spiritual destinations is a significant driver of domestic tourism in India, with accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations growing by 19% in FY24-25.

The push for enhanced connectivity to Gulf countries addresses another critical demand corridor. Analysis suggests that without increased capacity, up to 27% of the forecast passenger demand between India and the UAE could go unserved by 2035, representing a potential shortfall of 54.5 million journeys. The expansion plans aim to capture a share of this growing market.

These initiatives cater to India's expanding 'travelling class,' a demographic that grew from 24% of the population in 2010 to 40% in 2024. This growth fuels overall demand for air travel, particularly from regional hubs like Tirupati.

What Comes Next

Following the minister's announcement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is expected to work with domestic and international carriers to operationalize the new routes. The specific timelines for the launch of additional flights to Delhi, Shirdi, and Gulf destinations have not been disclosed. The implementation will be subject to airline operational readiness, aircraft availability, and the finalization of bilateral air service agreements for international routes. Further development of airport infrastructure at Tirupati may also be required to handle the anticipated increase in passenger and aircraft movements.

Why This Matters

The expansion at Tirupati is a microcosm of India's current aviation policy, which uses targeted infrastructure investment to stimulate economic activity and tourism in regional centers. It highlights the government's dual focus on catering to high-demand international routes to the Gulf while simultaneously developing domestic tourism circuits, particularly for religious travel. For airlines, this development signals new route opportunities in underserved markets with proven and growing passenger demand.

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