Local aircraft leasing push dominated the opening session of Wings India 2026 on January 28 at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. Industry leaders, regulators, bankers, and airline executives jointly called for urgent reforms to build a strong domestic aircraft leasing and financing ecosystem.
The local aircraft leasing push gained attention as speakers highlighted India’s dependence on overseas leasing hubs despite having one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets. Participants stressed that India must anchor leasing activity within the country to reduce costs and strengthen financial resilience.
Moreover, representatives from regulatory bodies urged faster policy alignment to attract global lessors. They emphasised the need for tax clarity, simplified compliance, and robust dispute-resolution mechanisms. Bankers and financiers also underlined the importance of long-term funding options tailored for aviation assets.
Aircraft manufacturers and airline executives, meanwhile, said domestic leasing could improve fleet planning and lower foreign exchange exposure. They added that India already has the technical expertise and market scale to support a competitive leasing hub.
In addition, speakers highlighted the role of the GIFT City framework as a foundation for aviation finance. However, they noted that further regulatory fine-tuning would help unlock its full potential.
Overall, the opening session set a clear tone for Wings India 2026. Stakeholders agreed that coordinated policy action, market confidence, and institutional support are essential to convert ambition into execution. The discussions signalled a decisive shift toward strengthening India’s aviation financing ecosystem from within.
