PM Modi pitches India as major global aviation hub at Wings India 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged investors to explore opportunities across India’s aviation sector, citing strong growth potential, policy stability and rising air traffic demand.

In a special message at the aviation summit Wings India 2026 here, Modi said there are immense opportunities in aircraft manufacturing, pilot training, advanced air mobility and aircraft leasing in the country.

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets, with air traffic demand continuing to rise. Indian airlines have placed orders for over 1,500 aircraft.

Modi said the government is working on all necessary regulatory reforms to make cargo movement faster and more efficient. He added that modern warehouses are being built to support quicker and more efficient cargo handling, which is especially important as India emerges as a major and competitive transshipment hub.

“I urge all investors to explore the opportunities in India’s warehousing sector, freight forwarding, express logistics, and e-commerce,” the prime minister said.

According to Modi, very few countries offer the scale available in India’s aviation industry, along with political stability and technological ambition. He described the current phase as a “golden opportunity” and invited investors to become long-term partners and co-pilots in India’s growth journey.

Highlighting infrastructure expansion, Modi said that in 2014 India had 70 airports, while the number has now crossed 160. By 2047, the country will have over 400 airports, he added, stressing that air travel in India is no longer exclusive but inclusive.

The prime minister said the government’s regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN, aims to provide air travel at affordable rates.
“Thanks to the UDAN scheme, 15 million passengers, or approximately 1.5 crore passengers have travelled on routes that didn’t even exist before,” Modi said.

With government reforms, India is becoming a major aviation gateway between the Global South and the rest of the world, he said, calling it a significant opportunity for investors and manufacturers linked to the aviation sector.

“Aircraft manufacturing, pilot training, advanced air mobility, aircraft leasing — these are sectors where India presents itself with immense possibilities,” Modi said.

While India is emerging as a major global aviation hub, the prime minister said it is important that the country does not remain dependent on others for aviation-related needs.

“We must strengthen the path of self-reliance. This will also be helpful for companies that are coming to invest in India,” he said, adding that India has started manufacturing military and transport aircraft.

Modi further said the day is not far when electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed and manufactured in India will provide new direction to the aviation sector. In the coming years, he added, India is also set to become a major producer and exporter of green aviation fuel.