At the Wings India 2026 summit held at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu outlined a bold vision for the nation’s aerospace future. Addressing the assembly on January 29, he emphasised that India’s ambitions have evolved beyond being a primary consumer of aviation services. The Minister declared a national commitment to transforming India into a comprehensive hub for aircraft design, manufacturing, financing, and maintenance, addressing a long-standing industrial bottleneck.
Minister Naidu highlighted that a thriving aviation sector requires a supportive ecosystem rather than isolated efforts. He pointed to India’s young demographic and massive middle class as the primary engines driving this demand. While acknowledging historical challenges in domestic production, he noted significant recent strides in indigenous manufacturing, suggesting that the international community now views India as a viable global manufacturing base.
The minister also emphasised that the government’s focus on regional inclusivity remains a priority. Through the UDAN scheme, nearly 100 airports have been operationalised, benefiting millions of travellers, he noted. Looking ahead, a revamped initiative aims to connect 120 destinations and serve 40 million passengers within three years. To support this growth and the entry of three new airlines, the government is also standardising pilot training via a new performance-based ranking system for flight schools to meet the projected demand for 30,000 aviators, said Mr Rammohan Naidu.
Echoing these sentiments, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka noted that the shift from being a “buyer” to a “creator” is well underway. He spotlighted Hyderabad’s established aerospace infrastructure, emphasising that while incentives attract investors, the region’s high productivity and expanding facilities – ranging from engine repair to drone technology – ensure long-term growth. Both leaders underscored a shared goal: ensuring the Indian aviation industry is no longer just “made for local” but is truly “made for the world”.
