Nitin Gadkari urges direct Nagpur flights to Dubai, Singapore, outlines airport-led growth vision at PPP handover

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday urged the Centre to start direct international flights from Nagpur to Dubai and Singapore, saying stronger global connectivity is essential to transform the city into a logistics, cargo and aviation hub for Central India.

Speaking at the formal handover of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur, to GMR Group under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, Gadkari described the transition as a “historic moment” after years of legal and administrative processes.

“I request Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to start direct flights to Dubai and Singapore from Nagpur,” he said. “That will allow passengers from this region to connect seamlessly to Southeast Asia, China, Europe and other parts of the world.”

The ceremony was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries.

Nagpur’s strategic aviation push

Gadkari said Nagpur’s central location gives it a strong strategic advantage, with the airport also serving large parts of Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. He said improved air connectivity would accelerate growth across tourism, agriculture, mining and export-oriented sectors.

“The modernization and expansion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport will significantly strengthen Central India’s economic landscape by enhancing connectivity, attracting investments, generating employment, and promoting industrial growth across Vidarbha,” he said.

He also referred to the Centre’s hub-and-spoke aviation model, noting that future systems would make international travel from non-metro cities more seamless through improved connectivity and processing infrastructure.

PPP-led expansion at Nagpur airport

The airport has been handed over to GMR Group under the PPP model for phased redevelopment, including modern cargo facilities, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) infrastructure and upgraded passenger amenities. The aim is to build an airport-led economic ecosystem and strengthen Nagpur’s role as a logistics hub.

Gadkari said the PPP transition marks a key step in expanding capacity and improving efficiency, while thanking the Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Ministry for supporting infrastructure development.

The handover marks the beginning of a major expansion plan aimed at increasing passenger and cargo capacity and improving regional and international connectivity.