Wings India 2026 to take off at Begumpet amid aviation sector scrutiny
HYDERABAD: Even as India’s civil aviation sector faces heightened scrutiny following recent disruptions linked to Air India and IndiGo, the international aviation event Wings India 2026 will open at Begumpet Airport on January 28.
The biennial event, scheduled till January 31, is expected to bring together global aviation leaders at a time when the industry is navigating geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain challenges. A global aviation summit, a CEOs’ forum and a ministerial conference form the core of the programme.
A key highlight on the opening day is the CEOs’ forum themed “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future from Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability.” CXOs from nearly 35 global aircraft manufacturers, airlines and allied stakeholders are expected to participate.
First-time displays, global OEM presence
Among the major attractions is Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, which will display the Ilyushin IL-114-300, SJ-100 and the Aurus Business Jet for the first time in India, reflecting renewed interest from global original equipment manufacturers.
European major Airbus will showcase its H125 and H160 helicopters, along with the A321neo and A220 aircraft. US-based Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner, 737 Max and 737-8 Max flown in by Indian carriers including Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air will also be on display.
Other static exhibits include Tecnam aircraft models, Dassault Aviation’s Falcon 6X, Pilatus PC-24, and Embraer’s E175 and E195-E2 “Profit Hunter”.
Visitors will also witness aerobatic displays by the Global Stars Aerobatic Team led by Mark Jefferies, flying Extra 330SC aircraft, and the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, performing close-formation manoeuvres with Hawk Mk-132 jets and tricolour smoke trails. A drone show is scheduled on the opening day.
The event will be inaugurated by Union civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, Union minister of state for civil aviation and cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, and Telangana deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the inaugural session virtually.
Organised by the Union civil aviation ministry, the Airports Authority of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Wings India 2026 is positioned as Asia’s largest civil aviation event. It is expected to attract over one lakh general visitors and around 7,500 business delegates, covering commercial aviation, general and business aviation, drones and advanced air mobility.
