Rajasthan is taking bold steps to scale up its aviation ecosystem by attracting ₹1,500 crore in private investment, cutting aviation turbine fuel VAT for regional flights to just 1%, and expanding air connectivity across the state. Authorities are targeting new airstrips, helipads, seaplane hubs, and training centres to support regional connectivity and tourism growth. With proposals for five more airports under the UDAN scheme, the state is positioning itself as a future-ready aviation hub in northern India.
Rajasthan’s aviation blueprint features aggressive policy reforms and infrastructure expansion to boost regional air services. The state’s VAT reduction from 26% to 1% on aviation turbine fuel for UDAN (RCS) flights is a strategic move to attract airline operators and investors. Officials confirmed land has already been allotted for a new greenfield airport in Kota and expansion works at Udaipur, Kishangarh, and Barmer. Five locations — Mount Abu, Sikar, Sawai Madhopur, Bhilwara, and Sri Ganganagar — have been proposed for new RCS routes to improve access to the state’s tourism, industrial, and cultural hubs. With 19 existing airstrips across Rajasthan and over 10 MoUs signed with private players, the state anticipates ₹1,500 crore in aviation-linked investment. Training and maintenance activities are being decentralised through new Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), including a new one opening in Bhilwara by August 2025. This multi-pronged strategy also supports job creation and aviation education.
To further strengthen last-mile and emergency connectivity, Rajasthan has announced ambitious plans for helicopter tourism, medical airlift services, and short-haul religious charters. With around 118 existing helipads and more under construction, the infrastructure is being readied for both tourism and disaster response. State authorities are also evaluating seaplane routes in districts like Udaipur, Kota (Chambal), Banswara, and Tonk (Bisalpur), seeking central support for feasibility studies and RCS inclusion. These initiatives are anchored in Rajasthan’s Civil Aviation Policy introduced in 2024, which integrates investment incentives under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS). According to experts involved in the planning, this comprehensive push balances economic growth with accessibility, aiming to reduce regional travel gaps, stimulate tourism, and modernise aviation logistics. The integration of flying academies, low-tax regimes, and land access for new infrastructure underlines a coordinated public-private strategy to build Rajasthan into a northern aviation corridor.
With focused policy backing and infrastructure readiness, Rajasthan is rapidly becoming a frontrunner in India’s regional aviation transformation. From slashing fuel VAT and planning seaplane hubs to inviting private investment and enabling training centres, the state’s multi-layered aviation roadmap is built to serve both passengers and economic sectors. Officials believe that the aviation thrust will unlock tourism, create high-skill jobs, and improve regional mobility across urban and remote districts. As more airstrips and heliports become operational, Rajasthan is aiming not just for better air access but a resilient, integrated aviation ecosystem driving inclusive development.
