Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport became the hub for South Asia’s largest civil aviation event, Wings India 2026, on Wednesday, bringing together global aircraft manufacturers, airlines, financiers, and policymakers to discuss innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability in aviation. The four-day event kicked off under a somber mood following the recent Baramati plane crash in Maharashtra that claimed several lives, including Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI, Wings India 2026 provides a comprehensive platform covering the aviation ecosystem—from aircraft design and production to maintenance, safety, and sustainable operations. A total of 131 participants, including Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Air India, and Indigo, are showcasing aircraft and technology innovations. The exhibition includes HAL’s Hindustan 228, Dhruv ALH-NG and LUH helicopters, Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 6X, Airbus H125, H160 ACH, A321 Neo, A220, and Embraer E175 and E2195 Profit Hunter models.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu stressed the importance of strengthening the domestic manufacturing ecosystem to meet growing demand over the next two decades. He called aviation a “key growth vertical” for India and inaugurated the static aircraft display at the venue.

A key highlight of the inaugural day was a roundtable on building a domestic aircraft leasing and financing ecosystem. Representatives from regulatory authorities, banks, financiers, aircraft manufacturers, and airlines called for urgent policy reforms to anchor leasing activity within India. Senior Economic Advisor Piyush Srivastava noted that leasing already accounts for nearly 85% of India’s commercial fleet, well above the global average of around 50%, yet most leasing revenue flows overseas. He emphasized the need for India to capture a fair share of leasing proceeds, reflecting its contribution to global aviation growth.

Speakers at the session highlighted structural issues that hinder domestic leasing, including rolling taxation on non-residents, limited duration of fiscal incentives, high corporate taxes, and a trust deficit among investors. Dipesh Shah, Executive Director of the International Financial Services Centres (IFSC), said that GIFT City had already established much of the foundation needed to support aircraft leasing and financing in India.

The event also features aerobatic displays, including international performers led by aviator Mark Jefferies on Extra 330SC aircraft, and the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performing with Hawk Mk-132 jets. Wings India 2026 is expected to attract over one lakh general visitors, 7,500 business visitors, 2,000 delegates, and more than 200 international participants, underlining Hyderabad’s growing prominence as a civil aviation hub.