- +91 9226 086 506 | +91 9289 135 506
- uae.bbsr@gmail.com
India’s aviation industry is undergoing a transformative boom, becoming one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world. Driven by rising aspirations, growing middle-class travel demand, and strong government support, the Indian aviation sector is on a trajectory of unprecedented growth—unlocking vast employment opportunities and reshaping the future of global air travel.
Indian airlines are witnessing an aircraft acquisition spree like never before. With more than 1,750 new aircraft on order—ranging from narrow-body to wide-body models—the sector is preparing to more than double its current fleet of approximately 800 aircraft. By 2030, an additional 600 aircraft are expected to join the skies, boosting capacity and connectivity across domestic and international routes.
Leading carriers such as IndiGo and Air India are spearheading this expansion, each adding one new aircraft nearly every week. This aggressive fleet growth is set to continue through 2025 and scale further from 2026 onwards, enabling Indian airlines to strengthen their presence in global aviation, especially on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes.
To accommodate this surge, India is investing heavily in airport infrastructure. The number of operational airports has already doubled to 157 in the last decade. Under the government’s Viksit Bharat Vision, the target is to expand this number to over 350 airports by 2047. Over the next five years alone, at least 50 new airports are planned to be added to the aviation map.
Major greenfield airport projects like Navi Mumbai and Noida International Airport are poised to significantly ease air traffic congestion in metropolitan hubs like Mumbai and Delhi while improving regional connectivity across the nation.
India is also positioning itself as a major player in the global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market. With an aim to capture $4 billion of the global MRO market by 2031, the government is promoting investment-friendly policies. These include 100% FDI via the automatic route, transparent land allotment policies, and royalty-free leasing for MRO infrastructure.
This strategic shift is turning India into a cost-effective, high-potential destination for aircraft servicing, maintenance, and engineering support—not just for domestic airlines but also for international carriers operating in the region.
India’s aviation ambitions go beyond just fleet expansion. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the sector is expected to grow into a $10 billion industry, fuelled by domestic manufacturing of aircraft components, electronic systems, and avionics. Assembly lines like the C295 military aircraft and H130 and H125 helicopters are already operational, signaling the success of the Make in India initiative in the aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors.
The boom in aviation is translating into massive employment opportunities. From pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs), and avionics specialists, to airport operations, ground handling, logistics, and cabin crew, the sector requires a vast and skilled workforce to sustain its growth.
According to estimates by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) and global aviation bodies, the air transport sector is expected to grow at 4.3% annually over the next 20 years. If this trajectory is maintained, by 2036 the global air transport industry will support:
When factoring in the tourism and ancillary impacts, this could reach:
India, as one of the most active emerging aviation markets, is positioned to contribute significantly to these numbers, creating promising opportunities for youth and professionals alike. The Indian aviation sector is not just growing—it’s soaring. With aggressive fleet expansion, infrastructure development, policy support, and rising global demand, India is charting a path toward becoming a global aviation powerhouse. For students and job seekers, this boom represents an exciting opportunity to build dynamic, high-growth careers in an industry that is shaping the future of global transportation.