On 25 June 2025, Hamburg welcomed leading voices from the Indian and German business and aviation communities to discuss one of the most dynamic growth stories in global aerospace. Hosted by Hamburg Aviation at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, the event “Aviation Market India – Focus on Potential and Challenges” drew a packed audience from industry, academia, and public institutions.
With India’s aviation sector projected to become the third largest globally by passenger volume, the goal of the event was clear: to identify opportunities for collaboration between Hamburg-based aviation companies and Indian partners, and to better understand the regulatory, economic, and industrial environment shaping this transformation.
India’s Aviation Market: Growth with Purpose
As Atul Suri, Vice President Advisory & Projects, Dr. Wamser + Batra, emphasised in his keynote address, India is currently the fastest-growing civil aviation market in the world. Over the next five years, the country plans to develop 50 new airports, supported by rising passenger numbers and a booming domestic airline sector. In his keynote, Atul Suri, Vice President at Dr. Wamser + Batra Holding GmbH, outlined the scale of India’s ambition: from expanding airport infrastructure to strengthening its aerospace manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
The drone market alone is forecast to grow from USD 1.58 billion in 2024 to over USD 4 billion by 2032, driven by both military and rapidly expanding commercial applications in agriculture, surveillance, and logistics. India’s efforts are underpinned by initiatives such as "Make in India" and strong regional innovation ecosystems, especially in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Industry Perspectives: Building Bridges, Not Just Business
The event featured a high-level panel discussion with contributions from Airbus, Lufthansa Technik, and Dedienne Aerospace. Participants shared experiences, challenges, and success stories in working with Indian partners.
Sven Tauber from Lufthansa Technik highlighted India’s potential as a future MRO hub for Southeast Asia, announcing the company’s intention to double its workforce in India from the current 800 employees. However, he also pointed to existing barriers such as double taxation agreements between Germany and India, which hamper closer cooperation.
From Airbus, Frank Hashagen, Head of Airframe Competence Centre, Airbus Operations emphasized the need for supply chain maturity and regulatory compliance. With 3,500 engineers already working in India and another 1,500 to be added, Airbus has a strong vision for its engagement with the Indian market. Mr Hashagen emphasised the importance of training and development, noting that Airbus partners’ suppliers also need to comply with strict standards and that personnel training is an essential factor.
Antoine Ghosn from Dedienne Aerospace added that the rapidly growing market brings increased pressure on turnaround times and staff readiness, especially post-COVID. He echoed the sentiment that structured training programs are key to ensuring long-term success.
Green Aviation and the Role of SAF
Sustainability was another key focus. India’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) market is still in its early stages, but targets are ambitious: SAF is expected to account for 5% of total aviation fuel use by 2030, up from just 1% today. Production based on waste and biomass feedstocks is already underway, supported by transitional subsidies and regulatory incentives.
EU–India Engagement: A Strategic Opportunity
A key takeaway from the event was that India and Germany represent complementary economies in the aviation sector—India with its young, educated talent pool and manufacturing capacity; Germany with its regulatory leadership and engineering expertise. The event sent a clear message: there is a strong willingness on both sides to collaborate—not only for market access, but to shape a future of aviation that is innovative, inclusive, and sustainable.
As Soumya Gupta, Consul General of India, emphasised in her opening address: “We both want what’s best for our countries, and for the world.”