Airbus Forecasts India's Fleet to Triple to 2,250 Jets, Driving Global Shift

India's commercial aircraft fleet is set to triple in size over the next decade. This expansion will reach 2,250 aircraft by 2035, according to a new forecast from Airbus. The growth will position India as the world's third-largest civil aviation market. Airbus released this projection during the Wings India 2026 conference.

Fleet Expansion and Market Drivers

Airbus expects India's passenger traffic to grow at 8.9% annually through 2035. This rate is the fastest among all major global economies. Strong economic growth and a rising middle class are key drivers. Per capita air travel is expected to rise from 0.13 to 0.29 trips. This low starting point shows significant untapped potential for air travel adoption.

Airbus is prepared to deliver over 1,250 aircraft to Indian carriers. Deliveries will include the A320 Family for domestic routes. The A321XLR and A350 jets will support new international ambitions. Major carriers like IndiGo and Air India are leading this massive expansion.

Workforce and Infrastructure Challenges

The rapid fleet growth presents a major challenge for the aviation ecosystem. Demand for skilled personnel must keep pace with the aircraft induction rate. The number of pilots needed is projected to surge to 35,000 by 2035, up from 12,000 today. Similarly, the technical workforce must nearly triple to 34,000 from 11,000.

• MRO Market Triples: The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market is set to triple.
• It is expected to grow from roughly $3 billion to about $9.5 billion over the next decade.
• India must rapidly scale its MRO infrastructure to avoid operational constraints.

Competitive Landscape and Outlook

This aggressive expansion makes India a key battleground for global aircraft manufacturers. Boeing also released a forecast for the region a day earlier. Boeing estimated that India and South Asia will need close to 3,300 new aircraft by 2044.

Airbus holds a strong market share in India's civil aviation sector. Its forecast underscores a structural shift in global aviation toward the East. India's expansion will boost domestic travel and position it as a dominant international transit hub. Stakeholders must ensure operating models evolve alongside the fleet and network growth.

Stay ahead of the airline industry with commercial aviation news from flying.flights.

Stay informed on aviation incidents, investigations, and best practices in the Safety category at flying.flights/safety.