Hyderabad, January 28 – Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Wings India 2026 event via video conference from New Delhi, painting a vibrant picture of India’s aviation renaissance. He declared that the past decade has witnessed a historic transformation in the country’s aviation landscape, turning what was once an elite privilege into a mass-accessible service.
Modi highlighted India’s rise to the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with passenger traffic surging dramatically. Airlines have placed orders for over 1,500 aircraft, a testament to the sector’s explosive growth fueled by a long-term government vision. ‘Aviation in India is no longer exclusive; it’s inclusive,’ he emphasized, underscoring the mission to make air travel accessible to every citizen.
From just 17 airports in 2014, India now boasts over 160, with more than 100 aerodromes activated. The UDAN scheme has revolutionized regional connectivity, enabling 15 million passengers to fly routes that didn’t exist before, all at affordable fares. Looking ahead, Modi projected over 400 airports by 2047, alongside the next phase of UDAN to further strengthen local air links.
The Prime Minister stressed the government’s push for tourism infrastructure modernization, positioning air travel as the preferred choice for millions. He called for self-reliance in aircraft design, manufacturing, and MRO services, noting progress in domestic production of military and transport planes, with civilian aviation on the horizon. As India marches toward development, this aviation boom promises vast investment opportunities and global leadership.