On May 23, 2025, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, inaugurated the curtain raiser event for Wings India 2026, Asia’s largest civil aviation event, at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), the event marked a significant step toward positioning India as a global aviation leader.
India’s Aviation Growth
Third-Largest Domestic Market
Shri Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted India’s rise as the third-largest domestic aviation market, with projections to become the third-largest overall air passenger market soon. He outlined the government’s roadmap for Viksit Bharat @2047, focusing on modernization, future technologies, and last-mile connectivity to drive inclusive growth in the aviation sector.
Wings India 2026 Theme and Vision
From Design to Sustainability
The minister announced the theme for Wings India 2026: “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future - from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability”. The event, scheduled for January 28–31, 2026, at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, aims to showcase India’s ambition to lead global aviation through fair policies and strategic partnerships.
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | January 28–31, 2026 |
| Location | Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad |
| Theme | Indian Aviation: Design, Manufacturing, Inclusivity, Safety, Sustainability |
| Launches | Wings India 2026 Brochure, Promotional Video, Mobile App |
UDAN Scheme and Regional Connectivity
Empowering Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities
Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, emphasized the impact of the UDAN scheme in integrating Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities into the national aviation grid. This initiative has boosted tourism, trade, and employment, with states playing a pivotal role in enabling new airports and regional airlines. The Ministry is also organizing Regional Ministerial Conferences to address local challenges and enhance coordination.
Sustainability and Innovation
Leading in Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of Civil Aviation, underscored the Ministry’s focus on sustainability and innovation. India is poised to lead in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), supporting global climate goals. Wings India 2026 will promote Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including drones and eVTOLs, to revolutionize urban and regional connectivity.
Key Highlights
- Curtain raiser for Wings India 2026 held on May 23, 2025, in New Delhi.
- India is the third-largest domestic aviation market, set to become the third-largest overall soon.
- Wings India 2026, themed “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future”, scheduled for January 28–31, 2026.
- UDAN scheme enhances connectivity in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, boosting tourism and trade.
- Focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Advanced Air Mobility to drive innovation.