The Airbus board will convene its inaugural meeting in Delhi, showcasing India’s escalating significance in aerospace as the Centre encourages international companies to produce domestically under the Make in India initiative.
In a groundbreaking move, Airbus directors are scheduled to gather in Delhi this week for their annual off-site strategy meeting, as reported by The Economic Times. This decision highlights India’s increasing relevance in the global aviation and aerospace sectors.
Such meetings are usually conducted in Europe or in nations where Airbus has substantial manufacturing presence. The last occurrence outside Europe took place in 2018 in China, where Airbus operates a final assembly line for A320 aircraft. Why the visit holds significance
This meeting arrives as the Narendra Modi administration urges global aerospace companies to enhance local manufacturing under the Make in India program. With Indian airlines placing orders for over 1,500 passenger and cargo aircraft, New Delhi has been advocating for Airbus and Boeing to broaden their production capabilities within the country.
What’s on the agenda
As per the report, Airbus directors are set to meet with high-ranking government officials and representatives from IndiGo and Air India, the company’s two primary Indian clients. Both airlines are reportedly slated to receive more than 1,000 Airbus aircraft in the forthcoming years.
The delegation will also visit Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in Hyderabad and Dynamatics Technologies in Karnataka—both Tier-1 global suppliers for Airbus, according to the report.
Strategic importance for Airbus
Airbus states that this visit reinforces its dedication to India as a crucial center for both sourcing and operations. An Airbus spokesperson informed The Economic Times: “We are committed to further integrating India into our global value chain. This visit will serve to strengthen our dedication, solidifying Airbus’s position as a dependable partner for India.”
Establishing manufacturing in India
Airbus is currently setting up a manufacturing line for C-295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat, and a facility for civilian helicopters in Kolar, Karnataka.
Earlier this year, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury indicated that a final assembly line in India could be contemplated for the next generation of aircraft, but not for the current models. He emphasized that India should concentrate on developing a supplier ecosystem: “A final assembly line constitutes merely 7 percent of an entire aircraft, but increasing sourcing fosters the creation of a network of companies that generate employment.”
Indian carriers’ substantial orders
In 2023, IndiGo made a historic commitment by ordering 500 Airbus A320 family jets—the largest single order recorded in the history of commercial aviation. Additionally, Air India has collaborated on pilot training facilities in Gurugram, featuring 10 full-flight simulators.
The path forward for India’s aviation aspirations
With two major cities poised to establish twin airports by the end of this year, 2025 is anticipated to be a pivotal year for India’s aviation infrastructure. The Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Noida International Airport are both set to commence operations, mirroring a global trend where large urban centers manage multiple airports to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, greater service frequency, and effective cargo operations. Comparable instances can be seen in New York with JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark; London with Heathrow and Gatwick; Paris with Charles de Gaulle and Orly; Tokyo with Narita and Haneda; and Chicago with O’Hare and Midway.
Regarding the domestic sector, enhancing air connectivity to additional Tier-II and Tier-III cities will be crucial. In this regard, the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) is anticipated to play a pivotal role. Initiated in 2016, UDAN has successfully operationalized 619 routes, spanning 88 airports nationwide. Over the past year, 102 new routes were introduced, 20 of which were located in the Northeastern states. Looking forward, the Government aims to add 120 new destinations in the next decade, concentrating on remote, hilly, and aspirational districts that currently lack air access.
In conclusion, India’s aviation sector is entering a critical phase of expansion. The focus now should be on maintaining this momentum and elevating it to cruising altitude. The Government has established a solid groundwork, but the coming decade will determine whether India merely broadens its aviation presence or evolves into a truly global hub. Industry leaders, in collaboration with policymakers, must synchronize safety, regulation, manufacturing, and environmental stewardship with the swift development of infrastructure. If this equilibrium is attained, India will undergo a transformation by 2030, and within the subsequent decade, it could stand alongside the world’s foremost aviation powers.
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