HYDERABAD, Jan 28 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday evening said India is rapidly emerging as a major global aviation hub, driven by policy stability, massive infrastructure expansion, and a strong push towards self-reliance in aircraft manufacturing.
Addressing the gathering virtually after inaugurating the four-day Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest civil aviation event, at Begumpet Airport here, the Prime Minister said India has transformed from an aviation market accessible to a select few into the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market in just over a decade.
He noted that passenger traffic has expanded at an unprecedented pace, with Indian airlines placing orders for over 1,500 aircraft, reflecting robust demand and growing industry confidence.
The Prime Minister attributed this growth to the government’s long-term vision of making air travel inclusive and affordable, particularly through enhanced regional connectivity. He pointed out that India’s airport infrastructure has more than doubled, rising from 70 airports in 2014 to over 160 today, while over 100 aerodromes have been activated across the country.
Under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, around 15 million passengers have travelled on routes that did not exist earlier. He announced that the government is working on the next phase of UDAN, which will further expand affordable regional air services and introduce sea-plane operations.
Highlighting India’s long-term aviation ambitions, PM Modi said the country is expected to have over 400 airports by 2047, significantly strengthening both domestic and international connectivity.
He said India is also advancing rapidly in aircraft design, manufacturing, and MRO services, with domestic production of military and transport aircraft already underway, and steady progress being made in civil aircraft manufacturing.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s focus on future aviation technologies, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), positioning the country as a potential global producer and exporter of green aviation fuel.
Emphasising reforms in air cargo and logistics, Modi said India is developing digital cargo platforms, modern warehousing, and off-airport processing facilities to improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs. These reforms, he said, will help India emerge as a competitive global trans-shipment and air cargo hub.
Calling India a natural aviation gateway between the Global South and the world, the Prime Minister invited global investors, manufacturers, and innovators to partner in India’s aviation growth story, describing the current phase as a “golden opportunity” for the global aviation industry.
Earlier, Ministry of Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha delivered the welcome address.
In the morning, union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu inaugurated the exhibition and conducted a walkthrough of the event.
A spectacular drone show followed the Prime Minister’s address, marking the highlight of the inaugural day.
(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
