India plants to introduce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years. This move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities, tapping into the burgeoning Indian aviation market which is projected to see significant growth in airports and aircraft orders. The initiative seeks to replicate the success of military aircraft collaborations and potentially challenge the dominance of global players, while the government also tackles the critical issue of rising Aviation Turbine Fuel costs to ensure the viability of domestic airlines.

India plants to introduce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years. This move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities, tapping into the burgeoning Indian aviation market which is projected to see significant growth in airports and aircraft orders. The initiative seeks to replicate the success of military aircraft collaborations and potentially challenge the dominance of global players, while the government also tackles the critical issue of rising Aviation Turbine Fuel costs to ensure the viability of domestic airlines.

India plants to introduce its first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years. This move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities, tapping into the burgeoning Indian aviation market which is projected to see significant growth in airports and aircraft orders. The initiative seeks to replicate the success of military aircraft collaborations and potentially challenge the dominance of global players, while the government also tackles the critical issue of rising Aviation Turbine Fuel costs to ensure the viability of domestic airlines.

Months after the C-295, the first ‘Made in India’ military plane, took off into Vadodara’s skies, the Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu hinted that India might soon launch its first major civilian aircraft.

Speaking at the symposium of the Indian Foundation for Quality Management on Tuesday, the minister highlighted the possibility of a joint venture leading to India’s first indigenous civilian aircraft within two years. He said, “Within two years, we will be able to have Made-In-India civilian aircraft through a joint venture.”

While the joint venture was not explicitly named, the partnership is expected to mirror the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus’s ₹22,000 crore collaboration to manufacture 56 transport aircraft for the defence forces. Another existing partnership is Adani Defence & Aerospace's collaboration with Brazil's Embraer that aims to build a regional civil transport aircraft ecosystem.

After World War II, India had a history of HAL converting 200 extra warplanes into civil aircraft. Several private airlines thrived then, until a 1953 government policy converted them into two state-owned airlines, Air India and Indian Airlines.

Currently, the commercial aircraft market in India is dominated by Airbus and The Boeing Company, mimicking the global landscape. However, with both companies struggling with supply chains and internal problems, the jet market can easily welcome a third player. China is already attempting to break this duopoly with its Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

Rammohan Naidu highlighted the growth potential of the India’s civil aviation sector. He said that more than 100 airports are expected in the next 10 years, with airlines ordering 1600 aircrafts worth about $100 billion. Currently, there are 165 airports, and the current fleet of places with domestic airlines is around 850.

He also addressed concerns about rising Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices and how airlines are challenged with operational margins.

"One of the most important things is how the West Asia crisis is putting a big burden on ATF prices. We are in discussions with airlines and OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies)," he said.

The minister’s statement came in the heels of IndiGo announcing a hike in airfare charges, citing rising jet fuel prices.

TAGS