India to court 115 airlines at Routes Asia 2027 in Delhi to widen connectivity

India will use Routes Asia 2027, to be held in Delhi from March 16 to 18, 2027, to pursue new regional and international air links, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said at a curtain-raiser event for the gathering.

More than 55 countries, 115 airlines and 2,500 one-on-one business meetings are expected over the three days, which the government sees as a platform to draw fresh routes and deepen existing ones.

Naidu said India's airport build-out has advanced and that connectivity is now the priority. The country has become the third-largest domestic aviation market and aims to rank third globally, a goal he tied directly to stronger air links.

"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.

The minister linked better connectivity to wider economic gains, noting that improved air links lift trade, tourism and overall economic activity between countries. He said connections matter for ties with the Indian diaspora as well as with partners in trade, manufacturing and supply chains, particularly as India looks to make greater use of free trade agreements.

On infrastructure, Naidu said 66 airports are currently under development, with the next phase centred on improving connections. He also pointed to the expansion of international routes, saying 55 such routes have been launched in the last 15 months.

Describing Indian aviation as large, young and among the fastest growing, he said the Routes Asia hosting experience would help unlock future regional and international connectivity opportunities.