Airbus Forecasts India's Fleet to Triple, Becoming World's Third-Largest Market

The commercial aircraft fleet in India is set to nearly triple in size over the next decade. This projection comes from Airbus. The announcement was made at the Wings India 2026 event. The fleet is expected to reach approximately 2,250 aircraft by 2035.

Airbus leaders noted this expansion is due to resilient economic growth. A rising middle class is also a key factor. More people are flying for the first time.

Market Shift and Growth Drivers

India is quickly becoming a major aviation power. The country is set to be the world's third-largest civil aviation market. This is expected to happen within the next ten years.

Passenger traffic growth is very strong. Airbus forecasts an 8.9% annual growth rate through 2035. This is the fastest rate among all major global economies. The current per capita air travel is low. This low base suggests significant future growth potential.

Airbus's Dominant Position

Indian carriers have placed large orders recently. The total order backlog is over 1,700 aircraft. Airbus holds a strong market lead. They account for about 72% of the current backlog. This translates to roughly 1,250 aircraft on order for Indian airlines.

Airbus expects to deliver an average of 120 aircraft yearly. This delivery rate could peak at 150 aircraft annually. The market is currently led by major carriers. These include IndiGo and Air India.

By comparison, rival manufacturer Boeing also sees strong growth. Boeing estimates the region needs nearly 3,300 new aircraft by 2044. Single-aisle jets are expected to make up almost 90% of these deliveries.

Industry Impact and Workforce Challenge

This massive fleet expansion creates a significant challenge for the industry. The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector must scale up. The technical workforce must also grow quickly.

• The technical workforce must grow to 34,000 by 2035.
• This is a three-fold increase from the current 11,000 workers.
• Training demand for pilots and technicians will more than double.

Without this growth, the fleet expansion risks being constrained. The focus must be on developing licensed engineers. They need skills for new-generation aircraft. This includes advanced avionics and digital maintenance. India's role in the global supply chain is also expanding. This further cements its importance to global aviation manufacturers.

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