Hyderabad, India: Asia’s largest civil aviation exhibition, Wings India 2026, ended on a high note this week with a string of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and partnership deals that reinforce India’s ambition to deepen domestic aerospace manufacturing, expand skills and training infrastructure, and strengthen regional connectivity.
Indian conglomerate Adani Defence & Aerospace and Brazil’s Embraer S.A. signed a landmark MoU to collaborate on establishing a regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India. The agreement focuses on jointly developing an aircraft assembly capability and related aerospace supply chain and services.
Under the framework:
- A regional aircraft final assembly line is to be set up in India.
- Cooperation will extend to aftermarket support, pilot training and progressively increasing local content in production.
Financial terms, production timelines, specific aircraft models or the location of the facility have not been disclosed in the initial MoU.
At the show, Flamingo Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement with United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) of Russia for the delivery of six Ilyushin IL‑114‑300 regional turboprop aircraft. The deal targets India’s domestic regional connectivity market and represents a step towards operationalising heavier regional aircraft within the UDAN framework.
The aircraft, seating approximately 68 passengers, are slated for delivery beginning in 2028. The pact includes collaboration on certification, entry‑into‑service preparations and training.
Vadim Badekha, CEO, UAC, said India is central to the company’s civil aviation ambitions. “We consider that the Indian market has great potential for us. And a key factor in achieving success is being a part of the Make in India programme,” he said. Stressing the depth of the proposed industrial partnership, Badekha added, “That’s very important, that it’s not just the supply, just the sale of the aircraft, but the joint production of them in India
India’s regional carrier FLY91 and aerospace engineering firm Timetooth Technologies signed an MoU to jointly develop and supply indigenously designed, DGCA‑certified aircraft passenger seats. The aim is to support localisation of cabin interiors for FLY91’s ATR 72‑600 fleet.
The agreement covers design, prototyping and certification work, aligning with the government’s Make in India initiative.
The Government of Odisha signed two separate MoUs at Wings India 2026 to bolster aviation infrastructure and technological capabilities in the state.
- Flying Training Organisation (FTO): An MoU with Alchemist Aviation will enable the establishment of an FTO at Dandbose Airport in Mayurbhanj district, with a planned annual capacity to train approximately 50 commercial pilots.
- UAV Training and Testing Centre: Another agreement with BonV Aero will lead to Odisha’s first UAV (drone) training and testing facility at Rangeilunda Airstrip in Ganjam district, expected to train more than 100 UAV pilots annually.
Both initiatives are part of Odisha’s strategy to upskill youth and integrate drone technologies into agriculture, logistics, infrastructure and disaster response sectors.
Heritage Aviation Pvt. Ltd. also signed a contract for an Airbus H130 helicopter during the event. The aircraft will be used to extend passenger transport services, heli‑pilgrimage offerings and regional connectivity operations, including in India’s Northeast.
Leading the way, Air India expanded its substantial order book by adding 30 fuel-efficient Boeing narrowbody aircraft, bringing its total commitment to 600 planes. In addition to aircraft acquisitions, the airline signed a multi-year deal with Boeing Global Services for a Component Services Program. Air India also strengthened its partnership with Airbus by converting 15 A321neo orders into the longer-range A321XLR variant.
Air India also entered a strategic MoU with Hindustan Institute of Engineering and Technology (HIET) to create a structured training pipeline for licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME).
The agreement provides for a DGCA‑approved AME Cadet Programme, addressing rapidly rising demand for licensed maintenance talent as Air India expands its fleet. Training will include DGCA‑specified Category B1.1 (Aeroplane Turbine) and B2 (Avionics) streams.
Meanwhile, the “Make in India” initiative received a major boost as Sakthi Group and Omnipol signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce the L410 NG 19-seater aircraft to the domestic market. The companies are evaluating the feasibility of setting up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in India.
India’s indigenous aerospace strength was also highlighted as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract with Pawan Hans Limited for the supply of 10 Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters by 2027, valued at more than ₹1,800 crore, the deal is seen as a significant milestone for the civil helicopter segment, reinforcing the shift towards domestically developed platforms for utility, connectivity, and offshore operations.
The agreement underlines India’s growing self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing and its push to strengthen local capabilities across critical aviation services.
To support this rapid growth, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) partnered with Airports Council International (ACI) to launch a professional accreditation program. Over the next five years, more than 115 Indian aviation professionals will be trained to meet global leadership standards, ensuring that India’s airport management remains world-class.
Also the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will invest ₹150 billion by 2028 to modernise the country’s Air Traffic Control (ATC) infrastructure. The investment will focus on upgrading communication, navigation, and surveillance systems across major airports.
The initiative aims to enhance airspace capacity, improve flight safety, and support India’s rapidly growing air traffic. The modernisation is also aligned with global standards for digital and automated ATC operations.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and KPMG in India have a strategic partnership focused on delivering data-driven industry insights through joint research and thought leadership reports. Their collaboration supports policy development and business decision-making across sectors such as aviation, digital economy, healthcare and emerging technologies, helping shape India’s long-term economic and industry roadmap.
Wings India 2026 Awards: Recognising Excellence Across India’s Aviation Ecosystem
India’s aviation sector also celebrated outstanding achievements at the Wings India 2026 Awards, honouring airports, airlines, service providers, manufacturers, states, and innovators that have made significant contributions to the industry. The awards highlighted excellence in connectivity, infrastructure development, manufacturing, sustainability, and skill-building, reflecting India’s growing stature as a global aviation hub.
| Category | Sub-Award | Winner |
| Airports | Best Airport of the Year | Delhi International Airport |
| Airports | Best Airport (>25 MPPA) | Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru |
| Airports | Best Airport ( 10–25 MPPA) | Pune Airport |
| Airports | Best Airport (5–10 MPPA) | Lucknow International Airport Limited |
| Airports | Best Airport (<5 MPPA) | Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair |
| Airports | Best Airport under RCS/UDAN | Hollongi Airport, Itanagar |
| Airlines | Domestic Connectivity | Air India Express |
| Airlines | Regional/UDAN Connectivity | Ghodawat Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. (Star Air) |
| Airlines | NSOP – Fixed Wing | Indo Pacific Aviation Pvt Ltd |
| Airlines | NSOP – Helicopters | Pawan Hans Limited |
| Airlines | Best Aviation Service Provider | InterGlobe Aviation Limited |
| Service Providers | Cargo Services | Air India Limited / WFS (Bengaluru) Pvt Ltd |
| Service Providers | Ground Services | Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt. Ltd. |
| Service Providers | MRO Services | GMR Aero Technic |
| Service Providers | Fuel Services | IndianOil Skytanking Private Limited |
| Service Providers | Aviation Skills & Training | Air India Limited |
| Service Providers | Aircraft Leasing | Vman Aviation Services IFSC Pvt Ltd |
| Service Providers | Drones | ideaForge Technology Ltd. |
| Manufacturing & OEMs | Best Contributor to Atma-Nirbhar Bharat | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Manufacturing & OEMs | Ecosystem Accelerator | Boeing India |
| Manufacturing & OEMs | Aircraft Component Manufacturing | Airbus |
| Manufacturing & OEMs | Drone Component Manufacturing | Carbon Light Private Limited |
| States | Best State with Dedicated Aviation Outlook | Andhra Pradesh |
| States | Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem | Telangana / Uttarakhand / Gujarat |
| States | Most Proactive State under RCS-UDAN | Assam |
| States | Most Proactive State under RCS-UDAN (Non-Priority Areas) | Uttar Pradesh / Bihar |
| States | State Champion in Aviation | Karnataka / Maharashtra |
| Innovation & Sustainability | Innovation Champion | Airport Authority of India (AAI) |
| Innovation & Sustainability | Sustainability Champion | Delhi International Airport |
Addressing the gathering, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said India’s progress reflects a strong collective resolve across the sector. He remarked that the country has moved beyond merely operating aircraft and is now actively involved in designing, manufacturing, and shaping the global aviation landscape.
The Minister said Indian skies offer boundless opportunities, as the nation shifts from being a market to emerging as a global leader in aviation. He added that India carries the aspirations of 1.5 billion people, speaking at the Wings India Excellence Awards.
The host state of Telangana also underlined its growing role in this transformation. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka outlined an ambitious plan to position the state as a leading aero-engine and MRO hub by 2047.
He further stressed that the industry’s future must be founded on passengers’ inherent trust in aircraft and the technologies that connect countries. As the event concluded with the presentation of the Excellence Awards, it became evident that India’s aviation sector is no longer merely envisioning the future, it is actively working to build it.
