Wings India 2026: PM Modi says Indian airlines have placed orders for 1,500 aircraft

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India has emerged as the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market.

Addressing the Wings India 2026 programme in Hyderabad via video conferencing, PM Modi said India’s aviation sector has undergone a “historic transformation” over the past decade.

"It is now entering a phase defined by expansion, self-reliance, and global integration," he said.

Welcoming industry leaders, experts, and investors, PM Modi said the next era of aviation is “full of aspirations”, with India positioning itself as a major global player.

From exclusive to inclusive air travel

“Over the past decade, India’s aviation sector has undergone a historic transformation, evolving from an exclusive club into the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market,” Mr. Modi said.

He noted that passenger traffic has grown rapidly and that Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,500 aircraft in recent years. The Prime Minister attributed this growth to the government’s long-term vision of making air travel inclusive.

“India’s aviation sector growth is the result of the government’s long-term vision, which has made air travel inclusive with the mission of enabling every citizen to travel easily by air,” he said.

Highlighting regional connectivity, Mr. Modi said that while India had around 70 airports in 2014, the number has now crossed 160. “The country has built over twice as many airports in just a decade,” he said, adding that more than 100 aerodromes have been activated.

Referring to the UDAN scheme, he said, “As a result of UDAN, 15 million passengers, around one and a half crore, have travelled on routes, many of which did not even exist earlier.”

Expansion plans and next phase of UDAN

As India moves towards becoming a developed nation, the Prime Minister said air connectivity will expand significantly. “By 2047, India is expected to have more than 400 airports, creating a vast network,” he said.

He added that the government is preparing the next phase of the UDAN scheme. “The government is working on the next phase of the UDAN scheme to expand regional and affordable air connectivity and seaplane operations across the country,” Mr. Modi said.

Manufacturing, self-reliance and sustainability

Emphasising the need to reduce dependence on external sources, the Prime Minister said self-reliance in aviation is critical as India emerges as a global hub.

“India has begun producing military and transport aircraft domestically and is moving forward in civil aircraft manufacturing as well,” he said, noting that the country is already a major manufacturer and supplier of aircraft parts.

He pointed to India’s geographic position on global air corridors, a strong domestic feeder network, and the planned expansion of long-haul fleets as key advantages.

Looking ahead, PM Modi said, “The day is not far when electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed and manufactured in India will give a new direction to the aviation sector.”

He also highlighted progress in sustainable aviation fuel, stating that India is poised to become “a major producer and exporter of green aviation fuel” in the coming years.

Cargo, logistics, and global role

The Prime Minister said India’s aviation vision extends beyond passenger travel to air cargo and logistics. He noted that regulatory reforms are underway to make cargo movement faster and more efficient, supported by digital cargo platforms, off-airport processing, and modern warehousing.

“India is set to emerge as a major and competitive trans-shipment hub,” he said, urging investors to explore opportunities in warehousing, freight forwarding, express logistics, and e-commerce.

Gateway between Global South and the world

Summing up India’s global positioning, PM Modi said, “India is emerging as a major aviation gateway between the Global South and the world.”

He added that few countries today combine scale, policy stability and technological ambition in aviation the way India does. Calling on global stakeholders, he said, “This is a golden opportunity,” and urged industry leaders and innovators to become long-term partners in India’s development journey.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister invited investors worldwide “to join India’s flight as co-pilots” and extended his best wishes for the successful organisation of Wings India 2026.