HYDERABAD. Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri K. Rammohan Naidu shared a clear and ambitious vision for India’s aerospace future at the Wings India 2026 summit held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. Speaking on January 29, he said that India is moving beyond being only a user of aviation services and is now aiming to become a global hub for aircraft design, manufacturing, financing and maintenance. He noted that this shift will help address long-standing gaps in the country’s aviation and aerospace ecosystem.
The Minister explained that a strong aviation sector needs a complete and supportive ecosystem, not isolated efforts. He highlighted India’s young population and growing middle class as key drivers of aviation demand. While domestic aircraft manufacturing faced challenges in the past, he said India has made significant progress in recent years, and the global industry now sees the country as a credible manufacturing destination.
Shri Rammohan Naidu also stressed the government’s focus on regional connectivity. Under the UDAN scheme, nearly 100 airports have become operational, benefiting millions of passengers. A renewed phase of the programme aims to connect 120 destinations and serve about 40 million passengers over the next three years. To support future growth and the entry of new airlines, the government is standardising pilot training through a performance-based ranking system for flying schools to meet the expected demand for around 30,000 pilots.
Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Shri Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka echoed these views and said India’s shift from being a buyer to a creator in aerospace is already underway. He highlighted Hyderabad’s strong aerospace ecosystem, noting that beyond incentives, the region offers high productivity and expanding facilities in areas such as aircraft engine maintenance, manufacturing and drone technology. Both leaders emphasised the shared goal of building an Indian aviation industry that serves not only domestic needs but also competes successfully at the global level.
