Good News! India To Have 100 New Airports & Its Own Homegrown Civil Aircraft

India could soon take a big step towards becoming a homegrown aircraft manufacturing hub. The country is aiming to develop its own civil aviation aircraft within the next two years, with plans to move beyond manufacturing and start designing aircraft domestically. Alongside this, the government is also looking to expand the country’s aviation network by developing 100 new airports over the next decade.

India Plans Own Civil Aircraft In Major Aviation Push

Speaking at the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 in Visakhapatnam on November 12, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said India wants to build its capabilities in aircraft design and manufacturing rather than depend entirely on foreign aircraft makers.

“We will develop our civil aviation aircraft within two years,” he said, adding that the country’s ambition is not limited to manufacturing but also includes designing its own aircraft.

The move could be an important development for India’s aerospace industry, which is looking to strengthen its presence in the global aviation manufacturing sector.

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India To Build 100 New Airports Over The Next Decade

According to Moneycontrol, apart from developing an indigenous aircraft, the government has also set its sights on expanding air connectivity across the country. Under the Modified UDAN scheme, India plans to develop 100 airports over the next 10 years, particularly by upgrading existing unserved airstrips.

Approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026, the scheme has an allocation of ₹28,840 crore for the period between FY27 and FY36. It also includes plans to develop 200 modern helipads to improve connectivity in remote and difficult-to-reach regions.

The initiative is aimed at making air travel more accessible to people in smaller cities and underserved areas, while strengthening regional aviation infrastructure.

Electric Aircraft And Air Cargo Also On The Radar

India is also exploring newer developments in aviation, including electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). These aircraft could open up possibilities for urban air mobility and offer new ways to travel within and between cities.

The aviation minister also highlighted the need to make better use of the country’s air cargo network, which could play a bigger role in supporting trade and economic activity.

Also Read: Bengaluru Airport Gets 42% Flight Capacity Boost, But Travellers Face 18 Months Of Road Disruptions

It seems India is looking to give its aviation sector a significant push in the coming years.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ugurhan (representative image)

Tashika Tyagi | Sub-Editor

Tashika Tyagi is a Sub-Editor at Curly Tales with 8 years of experience covering food, travel, lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, and pop culture. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from IMS, Noida. When she’s not scouting new places to eat or explore, you’ll find her experimenting with Instagram recipes in the kitchen or happily binge-watching a K-drama.