In 2026, India’s aviation sector is accelerating at a pace that few expected a decade ago.
The air passenger traffic crossed 400 million in 2025, the passenger traffic is rising, cargo demand is increasing, and existing passenger capacity is at its peak.
Various factors are contributing to this increased aviation demand, including rising middle-class income, regional connectivity schemes, and a sharp increase in domestic air travel. In such a scenario, better airports, faster expansion, and smarter infrastructure are the need of the hour for the government.
At the center of this shift lies the Airports Authority of India. AAI is a public sector enterprise responsible for executing large-scale aviation projects. Whether runway expansions, terminal upgrades, greenfield airport development, or other relevant works, AAI specializes in executing a majority of aviation projects.
As the government plans to increase the number of operational airports to 350-400 by 2047, the number of aviation tenders, airports modernization projects tenders, airports tenders, and Airports Authority of India tenders is expected to grow.
So, businesses looking to invest in AAI tenders can take help from this blog to have a clear idea of upcoming aviation infrastructure project tenders from AAI.
Why Do Airports Authority of India Tenders Matter in 2026?
In 2026, Airport Authority of India tenders matter more than ever due to an increased focus of the government on India’s airport expansion push. As India is hugely focusing on airport infrastructure construction, modernization, and operations, AAI tenders become one of the most reliable entry points into the fast-growing aviation infrastructure market.
As the number of air passengers and cargo is growing, India’s existing aviation infrastructure is under extreme stress. Expansion is not optional anymore; rather, the government is developing a robust aviation network across tier-2 and tier-3 cities, new runway extensions, and smart infrastructure.
This massive infrastructure push means more projects. And, to efficiently execute these projects, AAI tenders come into the picture.
What are the key categories in AAI Tenders?
AAI tenders are broadly divided into various categories depending upon the project type, size, and scope. Each of these categories targets a specific part of the airport development and management project. Here are the leading ones:
- Civil engineering and infrastructure
- Airport modernization projects
- Communication, navigation, and surveillance equipment procurement
- IT infrastructure
- Electrical and mechanical works
- Technical services
- Support operations
- Ground handling services
- Consultancy design
- Retail concessions
Which Leading Aviation Projects Should Businesses Track in 2026?
AAI is either executing or planning to execute various aviation infrastructure development and expansion projects to meet the rising demand. For this, it is focusing on the following aviation projects:
- High-value terminal modernization for the expansion of Chennai Airport Phase II.
- Runway, drainage, and airside infrastructure works for the expansion of Trichy Airport.
- Tier-2 airport upgradation projects in Birpur, Valmiki Nagar, and Gondia.
- ATC towers and technical block projects across Pan-India.
- Construction of Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport.
- Site clearance and earthworks at Parandur International Airport.
- Master planning and initial civil works at Shri Jagannath International Airport.
- Terminal fit-outs, IT systems, and navigational aids at Dholera International Airport.
- PMC services and specialized environmental impact assessments at the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Airport.
- Interior finishing, baggage handling, and security systems at Chennai Airport (Phase 2).
- Runway extensions and GLF at Bihta Airport (Patna Civil Enclave).
- Runway strengthening and terminal AC replacement at Agatti Airport.
- Construction of MSSR buildings and associated precision air-conditioning at Katihar Airport.
List of Top AAI Tenders Active in 2026
As the government’s focus on aviation infrastructure is growing, businesses can consider investing in the following AAI tenders in 2026:
- Annual rate contract for civil works for repair and maintenance of VOR station at Sampla, Sakras, Chillarki, and Sikandrabad for the years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
- Biennial maintenance contract for civil works for the DVOR building at Gorakhpur Airport for the years 2026-28.
- Annual rate contract for repair and maintenance of the GAGAN complex at various locations in New Delhi for the years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
- Painting of runway, taxiway, and apron markings at Dibrugarh Airport for the year 2026-27.
- Annual maintenance rate contract of civil works for new qtrs. residential area for the year 2026-27 at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata.
- Construction of the DVOR building and allied works at Katihar Airport.
- Waterproofing treatment over the roofs of the terminal building, ATC building, and residential quarters at Kangra Airport.
- Annual contract for mechanized painting of runway, taxiways, and apron inside the operational area at LBSI Airport, Varanasi.
- Conversion of the old terminal building into a domestic cargo terminal at Jabalpur Airport.
- Development and upgradation of the existing airport at Birpur for Code-2B-type aircraft.
- Procurement of Flight RADAR24 software.
- Supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of ASMGCS for Varanasi Airport.
- Project management consultancy services for the development of a greenfield airport at Great Nicobar Island (GNI), Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Annual maintenance contract for the repair and maintenance of civil works at Bareilly Airport.
- Establishing flying training organizations (FTO) at Kishangarh Airport.
Why Use Tender Grid to Find the Latest Aviation Tenders?
Tender Grid is one of the leading tender aggregator portals that offers advanced features to find the latest aviation tenders. These features are as follows:
- Centralized tender access from multiple platforms
- Advanced tender filtering options
- Real-time tender alerts and notifications
- View and download relevant documents in one click
- Corrigendum mapping and history
- Excel data export
- Favorite tender collections for easy access
- Regular tender updates
- 24*7 customer support
- Structured tender insights
Conclusion
In 2026, India’s aviation story is no longer a future bet. The progress is now visible across metros, tier-2 & 3 cities, and even remote regions where new runways are becoming economic lifelines. Airports are no longer just infrastructure anymore; rather, they are now treated as growth hubs, logistics engines, and long-term business ecosystems.
From the development of runways to the expansion of airport terminals, the flow of AAI tenders, aviation tenders, and airports modernization projects tenders is only getting stronger, creating layers of opportunity beyond the obvious.
Businesses dealing in this sector should consider using Tender Grid to keep track of the upcoming aviation infrastructure tenders from the Airports Authority of India.