Airbus raises India domestic air-travel growth forecast to 9.3% through 2045

Airbus now expects India’s domestic air travel market to grow 9.3% annually through 2045, up from 8.9%, and projects demand for 3,480 new passenger aircraft. The outlook points to sustained growth in airport footfall and travel-linked consumer spending.

— Source publishedTue, 15 Sept, 2026, 12:40 IST·First seen Tue, 15 Sept, 2026, 13:58 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Airbus raised India’s domestic air travel growth forecast to 9.3%, making it Asia-Pacific’s fastest-growing aviation market. India is projected to require 3,480

Key facts

  • India domestic air travel growth forecast: 9.3%, raised from 8.9%
  • India new passenger aircraft needed: 3,480 over two decades
  • Asia-Pacific share of global new aircraft demand: 45%
  • Global new aircraft required: approximately 42,000
  • China new passenger aircraft needed: 8,830
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific new passenger aircraft needed: 6,880
  • China domestic traffic growth forecast: 4.7%, reduced from 5.4%
  • Chinese airline deliveries pre-Covid: around 400 aircraft annually

Why this matters

The projected expansion in domestic aviation supports partnerships or acquisitions in airport concessions, travel F&B, loyalty platforms and last-mile mobility across high-growth Indian hubs.