India is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. Domestic airlines in the country have put India in the limelight on the global aviation map by placing record aircraft orders. Overseas OEMs and MROs are seeking JVs and investments in India to be a part of India’s revolutionary growth process.

Currently, India’s fleet size has increased to around 800 from 400 in 2014, while the number of domestic passengers climbed from 67 million to 152 million during the same period. Highlighting this at the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi, the Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, said that his ministry is leaving no stone unturned to make India a global aviation hub.

The minister is also keen to start manufacturing aircraft in the country by establishing the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India for both civil as well as defence aircraft.

The minister spoke on three focus areas:

  • Infrastructure
  • Integration
  • Innovation

Speaking on the number of airport infrastructures in the country for developing a solid foundation for a growing aviation sector, the minister has ambitious plans of scaling the number of airports to 400 by 2047. The number of operational airports has grown from 74 in 2014 to 157.

The minister spoke on the following points at the event:

  • Establishing a seamless aviation landscape in the country
  • Integrating helicopters and seaplane operations alongside wide-body aircraft under RCS-UDAN
  • India to well-position on the maintenance, repair, and overhaul front
  • Government looking at ways to boost indigenous capabilities
  • Adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

“The target is to blend 1 percent of sustainable aviation fuel with jet fuel in 2027, 2 percent in 2028, and 5 percent by 2030 for all international flights,” Naidu added.