Hyderabad, January 28 – India’s civil aviation sector has witnessed remarkable growth over the past decade, with the number of airports and aircraft doubling, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Wings India 2026’ conference at Begumpet Airport here, Naidu announced that the country is now shifting gears to build a robust aircraft manufacturing ecosystem.
The minister emphasized that this ecosystem won’t just cater to domestic needs but aims to position India as a global export hub over the next 10-20 years. ‘Wings India 2026’ will showcase India’s prowess in civil aviation, particularly in manufacturing, he added.
Naidu attributed this surge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the government’s UDAN scheme, which has revolutionized regional connectivity. He highlighted a recent pact between Brazil’s Embraer and Adani Aerospace to establish manufacturing capabilities in India, signaling the emergence of a ‘new India’ as a reliable partner in aviation.
The timeline for this collaboration will be finalized next month during Brazilian President’s visit to meet PM Modi. Naidu expressed optimism for significant progress in aviation manufacturing within the next two years.
During the event, the minister inspected a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner prepared specifically for Air India, marking the first delivery. He addressed key challenges like aircraft availability, noting massive orders placed with Boeing and Airbus, with deliveries commencing this year.
‘These aircraft, tailored for Indian passengers, will boost confidence in the sector,’ Naidu said. He also revealed that Airbus and Boeing are already sourcing up to $2 billion worth of parts from India, with several manufacturing centers in development. This positions India at the forefront of global aviation supply chains.