India set to become world’s third largest aviation market, Airbus outlines its industrial footprint

India is poised to become the world's third-largest aviation market, with significant growth projected in fleet and passenger demand.

India is projected to emerge as the world’s third largest aviation market within the next decade, driven by rapid fleet expansion, rising passenger demand, infrastructure growth and deepening industrial capabilities, Airbus said on Thursday (January 29, 2026).

Addressing a press briefing at Wings India 2026, Jürgen Westermeier, president and managing director of Airbus India and South Asia, described India as one of Airbus’ most critical global markets. More than 10% of the company’s annual aircraft production is already delivered to India. “This is expected to grow further as the country’s aviation ecosystem expands at scale,” he said.

Currently the fifth largest aviation market, India is projected to rise to third place globally over the next 10 years, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. Airbus estimates that trips per capita will double from 0.13 to 0.27 during this period, translating into around 400 million trips originating from India.

Over the past decade, the number of operational airports in India has more than doubled to around 150, backed by sustained government investment in aviation infrastructure. The sector is supported by a workforce of about 23,000 professionals. Airbus, however, described India as still a ‘nascent market’, with only 850 aircraft currently in service and relatively low air travel penetration compared with other regions.

Over the last 10 years, India’s fleet has doubled to 850 aircraft, while the number of routes has tripled. “Looking ahead, more than 1,700 aircraft are on order by Indian carriers, with Airbus accounting for 72% of the backlog, or 1,248 aircraft. Indian airlines have also strengthened their position in international traffic, which now stands at 47%, nearly 10% higher than a decade ago,” Mr. Westermeier said.

To accommodate future demand, the number of airports in India is expected to increase to around 200 over the next 10 years. The country’s fleet is projected to triple to about 2,200 aircraft, pushing annual passenger capacity beyond 450 million seats, nearly four times current levels. Capacity growth will be driven not only by an increase in aircraft numbers but also by the induction of higher-capacity aircraft such as the A321 and additional widebody jets.