Modi invites global investors to partner India’s aviation rise, bets on green fuel exports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday invited global investors and aviation industry leaders to partner India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, highlighting the government’s focus on sustainability, new-age mobility, and self-reliance as the country positions itself as a major global aviation hub.

Addressing the Wings India aviation summit through a special message, Modi said India’s aviation sector has undergone a “historic transformation” over the last decade, driven by policy stability, infrastructure expansion, and a shift towards inclusive air travel. He said India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with passenger traffic and airline fleets growing at an unprecedented pace.

Modi noted that Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,500 aircraft in recent years, reflecting strong long-term demand. He said air travel in India is no longer restricted to a limited section of society, with connectivity expanding rapidly beyond major metros to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Airport expansion, regional connectivity drive growth

Highlighting the scale of infrastructure development, Modi said India’s airport network has more than doubled in a decade. “In 2014, there were 70 airports in India; today, the number of airports in India has increased to more than 160,” he said. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said it is estimated that by 2047, India will have more than 400 airports, creating one of the world’s largest aviation ecosystems.

He said the expansion has been supported by the UDAN scheme, which focuses on affordable regional air connectivity. According to Modi, around 15 million passengers have travelled on routes that did not exist earlier under the scheme. He added that the government is working on the next phase of UDAN to further strengthen regional connectivity, while seaplane operations are also being expanded to improve access in remote and difficult terrains.

As India advances towards becoming a developed nation, Modi said air traffic is expected to rise sharply, supported by the government’s push to develop tourism destinations across the country. The anticipated growth in passenger demand, he said, presents significant investment opportunities across airports, airlines, and allied aviation services.

Push for self-reliance, green aviation & future technologies

Modi said that as India emerges as a global aviation hub, it cannot remain dependent on other countries for aviation-related needs. “It is also important that we do not remain dependent on others for aviation-related needs,” he said, outlining the government’s focus on aircraft design, manufacturing, and the development of a robust maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) ecosystem.

He said India is already a major manufacturer and supplier of aircraft components and is producing military and transport aircraft domestically, while also moving forward in the direction of civil aircraft manufacturing. India’s strategic location along global air corridors, its domestic feeder network, and the planned expansion of long-haul fleets were cited as key advantages for investors.

On emerging technologies, Modi said electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed and manufactured in India could significantly reduce travel time in the future. He also highlighted progress on Sustainable Aviation Fuel, saying India is poised to become a major producer and exporter of green aviation fuel in the coming years.

The Prime Minister also pointed to reforms in air cargo, including regulatory changes, digital cargo platforms, off-airport processing, and modern warehousing, aimed at lowering logistics costs and positioning India as a competitive transshipment hub.

Calling India’s aviation growth a “golden opportunity,” Modi urged global investors, manufacturers, and innovators to become long-term partners in India’s aviation journey and contribute to the growth of the global aviation sector.