New Delhi (Staff Correspondent): The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India under the leadership of Minister Ram Mohan Naidu organized a curtain raiser event for ‘Wings India 2026’, Asia’s largest civil aviation event jointly with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol; Secretary Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha; Chairman Airport Authority of India, Vipin Kumar; DG BCAS, Rajesh Nirwan; Chairman FICCI Civil Aviation Committee, Remi Maillard; Director General FICCI, Jyoti Vij graced the occasion.
The event also witnessed 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.
In his keynote address, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, highlighted India’s remarkable aviation growth journey, stating that the country has become the third-largest domestic aviation market and is poised to soon become the third-largest overall air passenger market. He emphasized 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.
Minister Naidu 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”. The Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to global aviation with skies full of opportunities, fair policies and sincere partnerships. “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,” he added.
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.
Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, in his special address, 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.
