HYDERABAD — Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Wednesday that India will have more than 400 airports by 2047, as the country accelerates plans to transform its aviation sector into a global hub, according to official government statements. The expansion will more than double the current network of 160 airports and marks a dramatic shift from the 70 airports that existed in 2014.
Addressing Wings India 2026 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad via video conferencing, Modi said the aviation industry has undergone a historic transformation over the past decade, evolving from an exclusive mode of transport into the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. The four-day summit, which runs through January 31, brings together global aviation stakeholders to showcase India’s manufacturing capabilities and rising demand.
Airport Network Doubles in a Decade
India’s airport infrastructure has expanded dramatically since 2014, with the number of operational airports increasing from 70 to more than 160, according to Prime Minister’s Office data. The government has also activated more than 100 aerodromes across the country to support regional connectivity.
The expansion is anchored by the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme, launched in 2017 to make air travel accessible to smaller cities and remote regions. The program has enabled approximately 15 million passengers to travel on routes that previously did not exist, Modi said. Government records show that 625 UDAN routes have been operationalized, connecting 90 airports including two water aerodromes and 15 heliports.
“As India advances towards the goal of becoming a developed nation, the expansion of air connectivity is certain to multiply many times over,” Modi said, adding that the government is working on the next phase of the UDAN scheme to strengthen affordable air travel.
Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,500 aircraft in recent years, reflecting strong demand and expansion across the sector. The surge in orders positions India as one of the largest future aircraft markets globally, industry analysts said.
Domestic Aircraft Manufacturing Push
Modi emphasized that India must reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for aviation needs. “India is placing strong emphasis on aircraft design, manufacturing, and the aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) ecosystem,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that India has begun domestic production of military and transport aircraft and is making progress toward civil aircraft manufacturing. At the same event, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) showcased the SuperJet SJ-100 regional jet, signaling the state-run company’s return to civilian aircraft production after more than three decades.
HAL’s presence at Wings India 2026 marks the first time in more than 30 years that a complete passenger aircraft is being positioned for domestic production, following the conclusion of the Avro HS-748 program in the late 1980s. The twin-engine SJ-100, designed to carry up to 103 passengers over routes of around 3,500 kilometers, is positioned as a regional workhorse for India’s expanding Tier-2 and Tier-3 city connectivity routes.
Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, said the company plans to begin commercial manufacturing of the SJ-100 within three years and aims to derive 10 percent of revenues from civil aviation over the next decade. “HAL is steadily expanding its civil aviation footprint,” Sunil said, highlighting the company’s focus on strengthening regional connectivity and reinforcing India’s journey toward self-reliance in civil aviation.
Global Export Ambitions
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who inaugurated the four-day summit at Begumpet Airport, said the government is focused on developing a manufacturing ecosystem that could position India as a global exporter in civil aviation within 10 to 12 years.
“We are confident we can showcase the strength of our manufacturing sector in civil aviation and the demand for it,” Naidu said at the inauguration ceremony. The minister emphasized that the government’s priority over the next decade is to improve the country’s manufacturing ecosystem to meet future aviation requirements.
India became the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market in 2024, surpassing Brazil and Indonesia, according to data compiled by aviation analytics firm OAG (Official Airline Guide). India’s domestic airline capacity doubled in the last 10 years from 7.9 million seats in April 2014 to 15.5 million seats in April 2024.
The country’s capacity growth rate of seats over a 10-year average is the highest among major aviation markets, growing at 6.9 percent annually between 2014 and 2024. India now ranks behind only the United States and China in domestic aviation capacity.
MRO Sector Expansion
India is also emerging as a hub for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. India’s MRO industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.9 percent until 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing markets globally.
By 2030, the India MRO market is forecast to double to $4 billion, transforming a nascent industry into a global maintenance powerhouse. The government aims to conduct 90 percent of maintenance domestically by 2040, reducing reliance on overseas facilities.
Major projects include Safran’s LEAP-engine MRO facility in Hyderabad, which represents an investment of ₹1,300 crore ($150 million) and will service engines used in Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The facility, operational by 2026, will handle more than 250 engine visits annually and employ over 500 technicians.
Aircraft Delivery Bottleneck
Minister Naidu also inaugurated the aircraft display at Wings India 2026, which includes a Boeing 787-9 aircraft specially fitted for Air India. He described it as the first delivery of this aircraft type, calling aircraft delivery one of the major bottlenecks in the aviation sector.
“I am confident that the arrival of aircraft will give the aviation sector a great boost. I feel this year will be great for aviation,” Naidu said. The minister’s comments come as airlines worldwide face delays in aircraft deliveries due to supply chain disruptions and engine availability issues.
Wings India 2026 will feature an international exhibition, static aircraft displays, aerobatic flying shows, a global aviation conference, ministerial plenary sessions, and a Global CEOs Forum. The program also includes CEO roundtables, business-to-business and business-to-government meetings, an aviation job fair, a student innovation competition, and an awards ceremony.
