**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Starred Question No. 187 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 12, 2026, regarding India's emergence as a global aviation hub. The Minister of Civil Aviation outlines the government's assessment, measures, and initiatives to enhance airport infrastructure, promote domestic MRO capabilities, and develop skills in the civil aviation sector. Key actions include infrastructure development, RCS-UDAN scheme, MRO sector support, and skill development initiatives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Assessment of Aviation Hub Potential:**
* India aims to be among the top three nations globally in domestic and international passenger traffic.
* The Ministry has formulated an International Aviation Hub Strategy.
* **Airport Infrastructure Development:**
* Modernization and expansion of airports are underway, including greenfield projects.
* Airports Authority of India and PPP Partners invested over Rs. 96000 crore from FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25.
* The RCS-UDAN scheme has operationalized 657 routes, connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports as of January 20, 2026.
* Integrated planning for multimodal connectivity at major airports is facilitated under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
* **Promotion of Domestic MRO Capabilities:**
* New measures to boost the MRO sector include abolishing royalties, transparent land allotments, reduced IGST/GST, and extended timelines for export/re-import.
* The Visa Manual now allows Business Visas and Temporary Landing Permits (TLP) for foreign pilots/crew for MRO purposes.
* **Skill Development Initiatives:**
* The government is building an aviation skill development ecosystem through initiatives like a liberalized FTO Policy and revisions to Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
* DGCA has issued CAR-147(Basic) to streamline training requirements for aircraft maintenance personnel.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Airlines
**Impact:** They are invited to bid for unserved/underserved airstrips/airports under the RCS-UDAN scheme, enabling connectivity.
**Action Required:** Participate in bidding processes and leverage opportunities for enhanced connectivity.
**Stakeholder:** Airports Authority of India and PPP Partners
**Impact:** Responsible for airport infrastructure development and expansion.
**Action Required:** Continue investing in airport modernization and expansion projects.
**Stakeholder:** MRO Service Providers
**Impact:** Benefit from government measures to boost the domestic MRO sector.
**Action Required:** Capitalize on incentives and updated regulations to expand MRO services in India.
**Stakeholder:** Aviation Professionals
**Impact:** Impacted by skill development initiatives and training programs for aircraft maintenance.
**Action Required:** Participate in training programs and comply with revised regulations for skilled manpower development.
**Stakeholder:** Passengers
**Impact:** Benefit from increased connectivity and improved airport infrastructure.
**Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
RCS-UDAN: A market-driven scheme to enhance regional air connectivity by connecting unserved and underserved airports.
National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016: A policy document outlining the vision and strategies for the development of the civil aviation sector in India.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary government body responsible for the formulation and administration of policies and regulations related to civil aviation in India.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP): A national plan focused on integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure projects to boost multimodal connectivity.
Airports Authority of India: An entity involved in improving airport infrastructure in the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. : 187
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
EMERGENCE OF INDIA AS GLOBAL AVIATION HUB
187. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has assessed current capacity and preparedness of the
country to emerge as a global aviation hub in view of the significant fleet expansion
undertaken by Indian carriers and the growing volume of international air traffic
transiting over Indian airspace and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the steps taken to strengthen airport infrastructure, including
development of hub airports, regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme and
enhancement of multimodal connectivity at major airports during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has taken any measures to promote domestic Maintenance,
Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities and reduce dependence on overseas facilities
and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the initiatives undertaken by the Government to address skill development,
workforce training and capacity building in the civil aviation sector to support long-
term growth?
ANSWER
Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
******STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) IN RESPECT OF
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 187 FOR ANSWER ON 12.02.2026
REGARDING "EMERGENCE OF INDIA AS GLOBAL AVIATION HUB" BY
SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH
(a): As per the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, India has the potential to be among
the global top three nations in terms of domestic and international passenger traffic.
For the development of aviation hubs, this Ministry has formulated an International
Aviation Hub Strategy in consultation with stakeholders.
(b): The modernisation and expansion of airport infrastructure is being carried out
through upgradation of existing airports and development of greenfield airports. To
improve the airport infrastructure in the country, Airports Authority of India and PPP
Partners have incurred CAPEX of more than Rs. 96000 crore during FY 2019-20 to
FY 2024-25. Further, RCS-UDAN is a market driven scheme in which the unserved
and underserved airstrips/airports are listed for bidding by airlines to provide
connectivity. As on 20.01.2026, a total of 657 routes have been operationalised,
connecting 93 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and 2 water
aerodromes. The Government provides for integrated planning for multimodal
connectivity at major airports as a transformative approach for last mile connectivity
under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
(c): The Government has introduced measures to boost India's aircraft MRO sector,
including new guidelines abolishing royalties, transparent land allotments, reduced
IGST and GST rates with full input tax credits, extended timelines for export and re-
import of goods for repairs, etc. The Visa Manual has also been amended to incorporate
suitable provisions for granting Business Visa and Temporary Landing Permit (TLP)
to foreign pilots and crew of scheduled or non-scheduled flights coming for the purpose
of MRO services in India.
(d): The Government of India has taken various initiatives towards building aviation
skill development ecosystem in the country such as issuance of liberalised Flying
Training Organisation (FTO) Policy, revision of Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR)
to expedite FTO approvals, enhancing training quality, standardising benchmarks and
optimising capacity. DGCA has issued CAR-147(Basic) to streamline the syllabus and
skilled training requirements for the development of competent/ skilled manpower for
the maintenance of aircraft.
******