India's $50 billion aircraft leasing opportunity: Naidu at GIFT City
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Friday, 8 May 2025, declared that India's commercial airlines have outstanding deliveries of 1,640 aircraft, representing a $50 billion opportunity for the country's leasing ecosystem over the coming decade. Speaking at the India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit 2.0 at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, the minister positioned India as an emerging global hub for aviation financing and leasing.
Fleet Growth Projections
Naidu outlined an ambitious trajectory for India's commercial aviation sector. The country's commercial aircraft fleet is projected to reach 1,100 aircraft by 2027 and expand to over 2,250 aircraft by 2035. He underscored the urgent need for a robust domestic financing and leasing ecosystem to support this scale of expansion, warning that without it, growth could be constrained by capital bottlenecks.
Landmark Legal Reforms Delivered
The minister highlighted key commitments fulfilled since the first India Aircraft Leasing and Financing Summit. Chief among them was the enactment of the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, which he described as a landmark reform aligning India's legal framework with the internationally recognised Cape Town Convention.
Addressing a long-standing industry grievance, Naidu stated:
