Naidu Unveils Air India 787-9 at Wings India 2026; Will India Export Jets?

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inaugurated 'Wings India 2026' on Wednesday.

The biennial event is held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad. It marks the start of Asia's largest civil aviation summit. The event runs through January 31, bringing global aviation stakeholders together. Naidu called Wings India the country's most important aviation summit.

This year’s theme is "Indian Aviation: Paving the Future." It focuses on manufacturing, maintenance, and innovation. The Minister noted the event showcases India’s rising domestic demand growth.

India's Manufacturing and Export Ambition

Naidu emphasized India’s growing strength in civil aviation manufacturing. The government's priority is strengthening the manufacturing ecosystem. This will meet future aircraft requirements. Naidu expressed confidence in India's export potential. He believes India can be a global exporter in 10-12 years.

This focus follows a high-level meeting on Tuesday. Minister Naidu met with senior Airbus executives. Discussions centered on integrating Indian MSMEs. This aims to deepen their role in Indian aerospace supply chains.

Minister Naidu met with Wouter van Wersch. He is Executive Vice President International at Airbus. Jurgen Westermeier, President of Airbus India, also attended. Naidu stated India is now a hub for global OEMs. This convergence includes interests, innovation, and investment.

Fleet Modernization Milestone

A major highlight was the aircraft display inauguration. It featured an Air India Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Naidu confirmed this as the first delivery of this type for Air India. The aircraft is specially fitted to the airline’s specifications.

This delivery is a key milestone in Air India's transformation. The airline is executing a record order for 470 new aircraft. The Minister called aircraft delivery bottlenecks a major sector challenge. The arrival of new aircraft provides a significant boost. This signals strong growth prospects for Indian aviation.

The new Boeing 787-9 (VT-AWA) is Air India's first line-fit widebody. It features 296 seats across three classes. The jet is part of a 20-aircraft order from Boeing. It is expected to begin commercial long-haul service soon.

Market Growth and Global Role

India is one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. It is the third-largest domestic aviation market. India is projected to need over 2,200 aircraft by 2042.

• Domestic passenger traffic is robust. It is projected to rise 7-10% in the current fiscal year.
• The overall Indian aviation market size is growing quickly. It is forecast to reach $40.81 billion by 2033.
• The country is also strengthening its MRO sector. This is vital for maintaining the rapidly expanding fleet.

Wings India 2026 underscores this growth. The event includes a Global CEOs Forum. It also features an Innovation Zone for Advanced Air Mobility. The summit confirms India’s rising strategic relevance. It is becoming a global aviation powerhouse.

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