Against a backdrop of struggling airlines and a controversial regulatory environment, India’s major commercial and business aviation show opens in Hyderabad March 14. The theme of this year’s India Aviation 2012 is “India: the Emerging Aviation Hub,” and while the airline side has certainly seen meteoric growth in the last decade, the battle for passengers among the budget carriers that flooded the market in that time has stretched the patience of the government and the credibility of the industry. However, assuming the finances and regulations get sorted out, the country is still considered a growth area for aerospace companies that are looking outside their traditional markets to keep their production lines busy.
Among the first-time attendees at the show is the Boeing 787, which is making its debut in the country. Russia’s IRKUT is also making its first appearance. Airbus, Bombardier, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft, Piaggio Aero, UAC-Sukhoi and a host of others will fill 60,000 square feet of exhibit space and put about 25 aircraft on the ramp. Several helicopter companies are also involved. This is also the centenary of Indian aviation and the post office will issue a commemorative stamp as part of the show.
