Published: 27 January 2026PIBEconomy
Wings India 2026 Opens in Hyderabad: Asia's Largest Civil Aviation Event with 150+ Exhibitors
Wings India 2026, Asia's largest civil aviation event, opened at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad on January 28, 2026, running through January 31. Jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the event featured over 150 exhibitors, 7,500 business visitors, and delegations from 20 countries.
The theme was 'Indian Aviation: Paving the Future -- From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability'. The event included static aircraft displays, aerobatic shows, CEO roundtables, B2B and B2G meetings, an Aviation Job Fair, and a Student Innovation Competition. India is now the world's fastest-growing major aviation market with over 200 million annual domestic passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Wings India 2026 and where was it held?
**Wings India 2026** is **Asia's Largest Civil Aviation Event**, held at **Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad** with **150+ exhibitors and 75,000+ attendees**. Organized jointly by the **Ministry of Civil Aviation**, **FICCI**, and **Airports Authority of India (AAI)**, the biennial event showcases India's aviation sector — from commercial airlines to private aviation, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), airports, drones, helicopters, and urban air mobility. It is the largest platform for India's aviation industry to attract global investments.
What is the significance of India's civil aviation sector growth?
India is the **world's 3rd largest domestic aviation market** and targets becoming the **world's largest by 2030** based on passenger growth projections. Key metrics: **153 million domestic passengers (2024)**, **30+ new airports** under development under **UDAN scheme** (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik), fleet expansion from **700 to 1,500+ aircraft by 2030**. India's aviation market is growing **15-20% annually** — faster than China, USA, and Europe. **IndiGo's order of 500 aircraft**, Air India's fleet expansion, and **regional connectivity** are major growth drivers.
What is the UDAN scheme and how has it transformed regional aviation in India?
**UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik)** scheme, launched in **2017**, provides **50% subsidy on fares** for regional/short-haul routes to connect Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Achievements: **73+ operational airports** (from 74 in 2014), **500+ regional routes**, **60+ cities connected for the first time**, bringing air travel to **common citizens** at bus-like prices. Airlines operating under UDAN: IndiGo, SpiceJet, Star Air, Alliance Air. **UDAN 5.0** extends the scheme with seaplane and helicopter routes.
What role does Hyderabad's Begumpet Airport play in India's aviation ecosystem?
**Begumpet Airport** in Hyderabad is an Airports Authority of India airport — primarily serving as a **military aviation base** (Air Force Station Hakimpet) and general aviation facility. The **Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) Hyderabad** handles commercial traffic. Begumpet is used for **general aviation, charter, helicopter, and aviation events** like Wings India 2026. Hyderabad's RGIA is India's **4th busiest airport** handling 25+ million passengers annually and is a hub for **aerospace industry (HAL, DRDO labs, BDL)**.
What is India's drone industry potential highlighted at Wings India 2026?
India's **drone industry** is projected to reach **$1.8 billion by 2026** and create 50,000 jobs under the **PLI Scheme for Drones** (₹120 crore). Key applications showcased at **Wings India**: **agricultural drones** (Kisan Drones — PM Modi's push), **logistics drones** (medicine delivery in hilly areas), **surveillance drones** (border security), **traffic monitoring**, and **industrial inspection**. India's **Drone Rules 2021** created a liberalized framework. Companies like Garuda Aerospace, ideaForge, and AgriDrones are India's emerging drone manufacturers.
