Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday urged global aircraft manufacturers to speed up deliveries to India, saying the country has built a large airport network and needs aircraft to meet the growing demand for regional connectivity.Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday urged global aircraft manufacturers to speed up deliveries to India, saying the country has built a large airport network and needs aircraft to meet the growing demand for regional connectivity.Speaking at the signing ceremony of FLY91’s firm order for 40 ATR 72-600 aircraft, Naidu said there was a “huge demand” for aircraft and asked ATR to deliver the planes as soon as possible.At present, India-based airlines have outstanding aircraft deliveries of around 1,600, with a large share expected to be delivered over the next decade.The order, valued at around $1 billion, will expand FLY91’s fleet from six aircraft to more than 60 over the coming years.“Right now the target is to deploy these 40 aircraft by 2030 but since everyone is here I would like to request ATR to speed up those deliveries because there is a huge demand,” Naidu said.Naidu urges Airbus, ATR to speed up deliveriesAt the same event, he called for expedited aircraft deliveries from Airbus, telling Airbus India and South Asia President and Managing Director Jürgen Westermeier that India needs more aircraft to support its expanding airport network and regional connectivity.Besides, Naidu said the scale of the FLY91 order demonstrates the “enormous potential” in India’s regional aviation market.Accordingly, he said the government’s next phase of regional aviation development would focus on helping regional airlines consolidate and encouraging more airlines to enter the market.India plans 100 more airports over next decadeThe Minister said India currently has 166 airports and plans to develop another 100 airports over the next 10 years, with a focus on connecting currently unserved hinterland areas, including the Himalayas, the Northeast and islands.Furthermore, he said the number of daily air passengers has doubled over the past decade, from around 2-2.5 lakh to almost 5 lakh, underscoring the need for a broader aviation ecosystem that encompasses different types of aircraft and markets.Meanwhile, Naidu said that India would need a mix of larger aircraft for high-demand markets and smaller aircraft for shorter routes and emerging aviation centres.Rs 28,840 crore earmarked for regional connectivityThe government has also earmarked Rs 28,840 crore under the modified UDAN scheme to strengthen regional connectivity and develop airport infrastructure.Additionally, Naidu said the government wants to ensure that airports are accessible to people within a reasonable distance, while alternative modes such as seaplanes and helicopters could serve areas where terrain and land constraints make conventional airports difficult.He said seaplane operations are also expected to begin soon, with Kochi-Lakshadweep among the first proposed connections.Naidu invites ATR to consider aircraft manufacturing in IndiaMeanwhile, Naidu invited ATR to consider setting up aircraft manufacturing in India, saying the government would be willing to provide support.In addition, he urged more players to enter the airline sector, saying greater competition would benefit passengers.FLY91, which currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft, has operated more than 15,000 flights in about two-and-a-half years and connects a growing network of regional destinations.Published on September 3, 2026
