Hyderabad: Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu said on Wednesday that India is poised to take the next leap in the civil aviation sector by developing a robust manufacturing ecosystem.
He said this manufacturing ecosystem will not only cater to the growing domestic demand over the next 10-20 years but will also position India as a hub for global exporters.
The minister was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Wings India 2026 civil aviation summit at Begumpet Airport here.
He said the biennial event will showcase India’s strengths in the civil aviation sector, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Referring to the demand and growth in civil aviation, he said that the number of airports, passengers, and aircraft fleet in the country have doubled in the last 10 years, adding, “This has all been possible due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the reforms he has brought about in civil aviation, especially the UDAN scheme.”
The Civil Aviation Minister mentioned that a historic MoU was signed on Tuesday between Brazilian aerospace company Embraer and Adani Aerospace.
“They want to create a manufacturing ecosystem in the country. This is the new India you are seeing, where India has become a globally trusted partner in aviation, because aviation engineering requires a specific skill set, a specific precision in engineering. This is a major leap forward that we are taking. We have become a reliable and trustworthy partner in manufacturing,” he said.
He said the timeline for the Embraer-Adani Aerospace collaboration will be finalized next month when the Brazilian President visits India and meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Minister Naidu expressed optimism about significant progress in the manufacturing sector over the next two years.
Ram Mohan Naidu, who inaugurated the static display of aircraft, also inspected the Boeing 787-9 aircraft. “This aircraft has been specially fitted for Air India. This is the first delivery that has been made,” he said.
He explained that one of the biggest bottlenecks in the aviation industry is the availability of aircraft. “We have placed a lot of orders with Boeing and Airbus. Deliveries are starting this year. We are confident that the delivery of these aircraft, which are specifically designed for Indian passengers, will give a lot of confidence to the aviation sector in the coming year,” he said.
The minister stated that Airbus and Boeing are already procuring components worth up to two billion dollars from India. He said that many manufacturing hubs are growing in the country. There is a major hub in Telangana, another in Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh and other states are also coming into the picture, and Gujarat is also strongly moving forward in this ecosystem.
He said that during Wings India, they will focus on global partnerships, whether with organizations or countries.
The minister said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is committed to providing all necessary support to those who want to partner with India in manufacturing in the aviation sector.
Representatives from 20 countries and 3,000 business participants from India and abroad are participating in this event.
There is a static display of aircraft here, and an exhibition of not only aircraft components and related products, but also avionics and technology.
The minister said that his message to all OEMs and international participants is that India is the best place in the world. He said, “The IMF has already said that India is going to grow at a rate of 7 percent annually for the next 10-15 years. This gives everyone that kind of confidence and a clear message that if you are looking for a place to invest, if you are looking for a strong relationship in manufacturing or any other sector, India is the best place.” He further added, “Globally, due to geopolitical conflicts and other challenges, there is a lot of uncertainty around the world. Amidst these uncertainties, the kind of growth India is witnessing makes it one of the most preferred countries today. This is why India and the EU have also concluded their most comprehensive FTA to date. This is a major victory for us as a nation.”
