HYDERABAD, Jan 29: Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu on Thursday said India is rapidly transforming from a fast-growing aviation market into globally integrated aviation ecosystem, encompassing aircraft design, manufacturing, maintenance, leasing, training, and sustainability.
In his keynote address at the awards presentation ceremony at Wings India 2026 held at Begumpet Airport, Rammohan said India’s aviation growth is being driven by the aspirations of 140 crore people, a median age of 29 years, and a middle class of nearly 500 million, creating unprecedented demand for air connectivity.
He highlighted India’s unprecedented aviation growth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that India is firmly positioned on a path to becoming an integrated, globally influential aviation ecosystem-from design and manufacturing to maintenance, innovation, and sustainability.
Calling Wings India 2026 the largest civil aviation event ever held in the country, he said the exhibition has emerged as Asia’s biggest aviation platform, featuring over 200 foreign delegates from 20 countries, 150 exhibitors, and 31 aircraft on display.
The event reflects India’s growing stature in the global aviation ecosystem, he added.
The union Minister highlighted that India is no longer focussed only on operating aircraft but is determined to design, manufacture, maintain, and finance aircraft domestically under the Make in India initiative.
Indigenous platforms developed by HAL showcased at the event were cited as examples of India’s growing manufacturing capability, he said.
He said India’s airport infrastructure has expanded from 74 airports in 2014 to 164 today, with plans to increase the number to 350 airports over the next 20 years.
Under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, over 1.5 crore passengers have benefited so far, with more than 3.17 lakh flights operated, and the scheme has now been extended for another 10 years, he said.
Highlighting future capacity requirements, he said India is expected to operate over 5,000 aircraft by 2050, requiring nearly 30,000 pilots in the next 15 years.
To meet this demand, the government is strengthening the pilot training ecosystem and expanding flying training organisations across the country, he said.
He also underscored the government’s focus on MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) development, aircraft leasing reforms, and emerging technologies such as drones and advanced air mobility, with 100% FDI permitted in key segments.
On sustainability, he said India is positioning itself as both a consumer and exporter of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030.
Concluding his address, Rammohan said India’s aviation ambition is to move from national recognition to global leadership, urging Indian aviation companies to compete for and win international awards and markets, while ensuring inclusivity and greater participation of women across the sector.
Earlier, the union Minister presented presented the Wings India Excellence Awards, recognising outstanding contributions across airports, airlines, manufacturing, innovation, sustainability, and state-led aviation development. The awards celebrated excellence and leadership that are shaping the future of India’s aviation sector.
The union Minister also formally released the KPMG-FICCI knowledge report, “Paving the Future of Aviation in Viksit Bharat @ 2047”, on the occasion.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Minister for I&PR P.Srinivas Reddy and Ministry of Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha were also present.
(UNI)
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