New Delhi, 23rd May 2025:

The theme of Wings India 2026 is, “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future – from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability”.The Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu at the inauguration of Curtain raiser of Wings India 2026 in New Delhi emphasised that India is witnessing remarkable aviation growth journey and the country has become the third-largest domestic aviation market and is poised to soon become the third-largest overall air passenger market. He mentioned that the Government is working with a clear roadmap to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, focusing on modernisation, adoption of future technologies and last-mile connectivity.

The curtain raiser event for ‘Wings India 2026’, Asia’s largest civil aviation event had the presence of The Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu,MoS for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha, Chairman, AAI, Vipin Kumar,DG BCAS, Rajesh Nirwan,Chairman FICCI Civil Aviation Committee, Remi Maillard and DG FICCI, Jyoti Vij.

The Wings India curtain raiser had multiple events which included the launch of the Wings India 2026 Brochure, release of the promotional video and the official unveiling of the Wings India 2026 Mobile App, aimed at facilitating participation and engagement from stakeholders across the globe.

The Minister also declared the theme of Wings India 2026 – “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future – from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability”. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to global aviation with skies full of opportunities, fair policies and sincere partnerships. As he said, “I am confident that Wings 2026 will build on its legacy, drawing even greater participation from industry partners and aviation enthusiasts from India and across the globe. I perceive Wings India 2026 as more than an event—it is a vision statement, a bold declaration of India’s ambition to not merely participate in global aviation but to lead it.”

Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Govt of India highlighted India’s aviation growth story which is powered not just by national policy but by the active involvement of states across the country. From enabling new airports to supporting regional airlines, states have played a key role in strengthening connectivity and unlocking local economic potential.

Under the UDAN scheme, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now part of the national aviation grid, boosting tourism, trade, and employment. To further enhance regional coordination, the Ministry is organising a series of Regional Ministerial Conferences—platforms for states to share ideas, address local challenges, and align on common goals. Together, we are building a more inclusive and connected aviation ecosystem for all.

Views of the other dignitaries 

The newly joined MocA Secretary,Samir Kumar Sinha, underscored the Ministry’s focus on sustainability and innovation to shape the future of Indian aviation. He highlighted that India is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), supporting international climate goals. He also noted that Wings India 2026 will act as a catalyst for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including drones and eVTOLs, ushering in a new era of urban and regional connectivity.

Vipin Kumar, Chairman, AAI delivered the welcome address and highlighted the critical role played by AAI in expanding airport infrastructure and enhancing air navigation services across the country.

Remi Maillard, Chairman, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD, Airbus India and South Asia, shared the industry’s perspective and noted that India is at the cusp of becoming the world’s leading aviation market. He emphasized the need for innovation, sustainability, and capacity-building to fuel the sector’s future.

Jyoti Vij, Director General, FICCI said, “Today, India stands tall as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally and is steadily advancing towards becoming the third-largest air passenger market overall. The sector has seen monumental growth over the last decade, marked by a doubling of operational airports, exponential growth in aircraft fleet, and path-breaking initiatives such as UDAN, DigiYatra, and new MRO and drone policies. Events like Wings India provide a powerful platform to showcase this transformation to the world and build meaningful global collaborations.”

Scheduled to be held from 28th to 31st January 2026 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, Wings India 2026 will bring together key stakeholders including airlines, manufacturers, state governments, investors, airport developers, cargo and logistics players, MROs, skill development agencies, and financial institutions from across the globe.