Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu emphasized the immense opportunities available for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India's aviation sector. Speaking at the VORTEX 2026 conference organized by industry body CII, Naidu highlighted that global aerospace players have strong interest in India's aviation sector. According to reports from Business Standard, the minister stressed that India cannot remain just a place for assembling aerospace components but must evolve into a comprehensive hub for designing, certifying and manufacturing aerospace components.
Indian airlines have placed orders for more than 1,600 aircraft, creating substantial opportunities for the domestic aerospace supply chain. As reported by Business Standard, India is positioned as the world's third largest domestic aviation market, providing a solid foundation for the expansion of domestic MSME participation. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha revealed that various models for manufacturing aircraft in India are being explored, indicating the government's commitment to developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte revealed that the aircraft manufacturer sources products and services worth nearly ₹14,000 crore from India annually. According to Business Standard, Boeing currently has around 300 suppliers in India, with 25% being MSMEs. Gupte emphasized that the focus should shift from manufacturing aerospace components to scaling up operations quickly and developing intellectual properties, highlighting the need for Indian entities to manufacture complete assemblies and complex systems.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar stressed the growing civil aviation sector's potential for MSMEs and emphasized the importance of skilling activities. As reported by Business Standard, AAI airports can serve as ground for innovations, with efforts needed to design, certify and manufacture airport equipment in India and export it globally. The conference, organized by CII in partnership with the civil aviation ministry, focused on the National Initiative for MSME Integration into Global Aerospace Supply Chains.
