India's aviation sector is at a pivotal juncture, poised for unprecedented growth and transformation in the coming years. From its humble beginnings as a luxury accessible only to the affluent few, air travel in India has evolved into a thriving industry catering to a broader demographic. Currently ranked as the seventh largest civil aviation market globally, India's trajectory points towards even greater heights, with projections indicating that it will become the third-largest market within the next decade. This growth is underscored by a significant surge in domestic air travel, with India now boasting the third-largest domestic market globally, behind only the United States and China. The recent resurgence in domestic air traffic, approaching 97 percent of pre-pandemic levels during FY22-23, demonstrates the industry's resilience and potential for further expansion. Central to this expansion is the proliferation of operational airports, with their numbers increasing from 74 to 140 over the past eight years. Looking ahead, the government's ambitious plans to develop and operationalise an additional 220 airports within the next five years signal a commitment to fostering sustained growth and accessibility within the aviation sector.