Hyderabad: India has witnessed a twofold increase in the number of airports and aircraft over the past decade, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Wednesday. Speaking at the inauguration of the civil aviation conference ‘Wings India 2026’ at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, the minister highlighted the government’s focus on developing a robust aircraft manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
Naidu stated that this ecosystem will not only serve domestic demand over the next 10 to 20 years but will also position India as a global export hub for aviation manufacturing. He emphasized that ‘Wings India 2026’ will showcase India’s growing capabilities in the civil aviation sector, particularly in manufacturing.
The minister attributed the doubling of airports, passengers, and aircraft in the last ten years to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government’s initiatives such as the UDAN scheme, which has stimulated growth in the aviation sector.
Highlighting recent developments, Naidu announced a collaboration agreement signed on Tuesday between Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and Adani Aerospace to establish a manufacturing ecosystem in India. The partnership aims to strengthen India’s position as a trusted partner in the global aviation industry.
Further details regarding the timeline of this collaboration are expected next month when the President of Brazil visits India and meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The minister expressed optimism about significant progress in aviation manufacturing within the next two years.
During the event, Ram Mohan Naidu inspected the Boeing 787-9 aircraft, specially built for Air India, marking the first delivery. He acknowledged that aircraft availability remains a key challenge in the industry. However, with Boeing and Airbus beginning deliveries this year following numerous orders, the sector is likely to gain renewed confidence.
Naidu also mentioned that Airbus and Boeing currently purchase parts worth up to two billion dollars from India, underlining the development of multiple manufacturing centres across the country.
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