India expected to become centre of world aviation in 15 years, says Airbus

The world's two largest aircraft orders were placed by IndiGo and Air India in the last year. In June 2023, IndiGo had placed an order for 500 A320neo family planes with Airbus

India is expected to become the centre of the world aviation industry in the next 15 years, given the demand, capacity, and professionally run airlines present in the country’s aviation market, according to Edward Delahaye, head of customer accounts for India and South Asia at Airbus.

Delahaye said on Wednesday that airport connectivity in India, especially during passenger transitions from domestic to international flights or vice versa at Indian airports, requires improvement. This is crucial as the country’s carriers are increasing their share in international air traffic.

“When a passenger wishes to transfer from a domestic to an international flight at an Indian airport, sometimes the connection is not considered ‘ideal’ or ‘easy’,” he remarked during the Airline Economics Growth Frontiers India 2024 event.

In comparison, airports in Singapore or Doha are known for their seamless transfers, allowing passengers to comfortably move between terminals for their next flight.

India currently has about 800 commercial aircraft operating in its skies, with the majority of them being from the European plane maker Airbus.

Delahaye expressed optimism about the prospects of Indian aviation, considering factors such as domestic traffic growth, gross domestic product growth, recapturing international traffic, and establishing India as a global connecting hub.

The two largest aircraft orders globally were placed by IndiGo and Air India last year. In June 2023, IndiGo ordered 500 A320neo family planes from Airbus, while in February 2023, Air India Group ordered 470 planes — 250 from Airbus and 220 from Boeing.

“I believe that 15 years from now, India will be the centre of world aviation. The potential is here, the market is here, the demand is here, and the professional organisations capable of building are here,” Delahaye said.

As India’s airport infrastructure continues to grow, it will naturally become a key connecting hub globally, he added.

“Whether they will necessarily compete with West Asian carriers is not a certainty. Possibly, this connectivity could extend to Central Asia or the Pacific,” he added.