HYDERABAD, Telangana — India is ready to take the next step in civil aviation by developing a robust manufacturing ecosystem that can meet rising domestic demand and position the country as a global export hub, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Wings India 2026, a biennial civil aviation summit at Begumpet Airport, Naidu said the manufacturing push would support India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector over the next 10 to 20 years.
“The manufacturing ecosystem will not only cater to domestic demand that is going to grow in the next 10–20 years but India can become a place for global exporters,” the minister said.
Naidu said this year’s Wings India summit would highlight India’s growing strength in civil aviation, particularly in manufacturing. He pointed to the sharp expansion of the sector over the past decade, noting that the number of airports, passenger traffic, and aircraft fleet have all doubled.
“This has happened thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the kind of reforms he brought in civil aviation, especially the UDAN scheme,” he said.
The minister highlighted a memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday between Brazilian aerospace major Embraer and Adani Aerospace, describing it as a major milestone.
“They want to have a manufacturing ecosystem in the country. This is the new India you are seeing, where India has become a global trusted partner in aviation, also because aviation engineering requires a specific skill, a specific precision in engineering. This is a great advancement we are making. We have become a trusted and loyal partner in manufacturing,” Naidu said.
He added that the timeline for the Embraer–Adani Aerospace collaboration would be finalized next month during the visit of the Brazilian President to India for talks with Prime Minister Modi.
Naidu said he expects visible progress in aviation manufacturing over the next two years.
During the event, the minister inaugurated the static aircraft display and inspected a Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
“This aircraft has been specifically fitted for Air India. This is the first delivery that has been done,” he said.
Addressing supply constraints in the aviation industry, Naidu said aircraft availability remains a major bottleneck, even as Indian carriers have placed large orders with Boeing and Airbus.
“We have a lot of orders being given to Boeing and Airbus. Deliveries are just starting this year. We are confident that in the coming year the delivery of these aircraft, which are specifically designed for Indian passengers, is going to give a lot of confidence to the aviation sector,” he said.
The minister noted that Airbus and Boeing are already sourcing up to $2 billion worth of components from India, with multiple manufacturing hubs emerging across states such as Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
He said the focus at Wings India 2026 would be on strengthening global partnerships with international organizations and countries, adding that the civil aviation ministry is committed to supporting all partners interested in manufacturing in India’s aviation sector.
The event has drawn delegates from 20 countries and around 3,000 business participants from India and abroad. It includes a static aircraft display and an exhibition showcasing aircraft components, avionics, and aviation technologies.
Naidu said his message to global original equipment manufacturers and international participants was clear.
“IMF has already said that India is going to grow at 7 per cent annually for the next 10–15 years. It gives the kind of confidence and straightforward message to everyone that if you are looking at a place to invest, if you are looking for a strong relationship in manufacturing or any other sector, India becomes the best place,” he said.
Referring to global geopolitical uncertainty, the minister added, “Globally, with the geopolitical conflicts and other challenges that are emerging, a lot of uncertainties are coming across the world. In these uncertainties with the kind of growth India is seeing, this is one of the most favourable nations today. That’s why India and the EU also cracked up the most complicated FTA ever done. It’s a great victory for us as a country.” (Source: IANS)
