Vadodara, June 2026 — Wings Institute today released its India Airport Expansion 2026 briefing, tracking how the country’s airport build-out is reshaping ground-staff demand.
The numbers are large. India’s operational airport count rose from 74 in 2014 to about 160 in 2024, with 651 UDAN regional routes operationalised and more than 1.6 crore passengers flown on the scheme. Navi Mumbai International Airport began commercial (domestic) operations on 25 December 2025, and Noida International Airport (Jewar) followed on 15 June 2026; Dholera (Gujarat) remains under construction as of publication. Total Indian airport throughput reached about 412 million passengers in FY2024-25 (AAI).
Each new airport generates sustained hiring across ground handling, security screening, cargo, retail and customer service — most entry roles open to 10+2 candidates with a diploma rather than a degree. Wings’ analysis stresses that the bulk of these jobs are filled by ground-handling companies and concessionaires rather than airport operators directly, and that AVSEC clearance plus a clean police-background check are prerequisites for any airside role.
The briefing connects the expansion to Wings’ airport-management training and is updated as new airports reach commercial operations. Opening dates and headcounts are fast-moving; readers should verify current hiring on official airport and ground-handler career pages. Media enquiries: +91 87587 54444.