Amid Air India, IndiGo turbulence, Wings India to take off in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: At a time when India's civil aviation sector is facing intense scrutiny after the Air India crash and disruptions linked to the IndiGo crisis, international civil aviation event Wings India 2026, is set to take off at Begumpet Airport on Wednesday.The biennial event, which will run from Jan 28 to 31, will bring together industry leaders as the global aviation market contends with geopolitical turbulence. A high-powered global aviation summit, a global CEOs' forum, and a global ministerial conference will be held during the event.A key feature on the opening day will be the CEO forum on ‘Indian Aviation: Paving the Future – From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability', where CXOs from nearly 35 global aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and other stakeholders will deliberate on the future of Indian aviation.Among the major attractions this year will be Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)'s display of the Ilyushin IL-114-300, SJ-100, and Aurus Business Jet for the first time in India, signalling fresh interest from global OEMs even as supply-chain constraints and geopolitical headwinds reshape procurement strategies.French giant Airbus will showcase its H125 and H160 helicopters and the A321neo and A220 fixed-wing aircraft, while American biggie Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner, 737 Max, and 737-8 Max, flown in by Indian carriers such as Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air, will be showcased.Other static displays include Italian manufacturer Tecnam's 6 aircraft—P2010, P-Mentor, P2006, P2008JC, and P2010 TDI—along with Dassault Aviation's Falcon 6X, Pilatus' P24, and Embraer's E175 and E2195 Profit Hunter.Also, enthralling visitors will be the aerobatic displays by the Global Stars Aerobatic Team led by Mark Jefferies, which will be flying Extra 330SC aircraft, and the Indian Air Force's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, which will be flying indigenously manufactured Hawk Mk-132 jets replete with close-formation manoeuvres and tricolour smoke trails. A drone show will also be conducted on Wednesday.The event will be formally inaugurated by Union civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu, along with 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.While the first day will have roundtables and panels on airports, aircraft leasing and financing, helicopter operations, and women in aviation, day 2 will focus on MRO, air cargo, business aviation, aircraft component manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuels, and advanced air mobility, alongside a dedicated session on flying training and skilling. The exhibition and chalets will showcase cutting-edge aviation technologies, future-ready solutions, and next-generation aircraft.Organised by the Union civil aviation ministry, the Airports Authority of India, and FICCI, Wings India 2026 is being positioned as Asia's largest civil aviation event, spanning commercial aviation, general and business aviation, and drones and advanced air mobility.The event is expected to attract over one lakh general visitors, over 7,500 business visitors, around 2,000 business delegates, and over 200 foreign delegates, with more than 500 B2B and B2G meetings planned.