Airbus Targets 120 Annual Deliveries to India Through 2036

Scaling Production for the Indian Market

Airbus expects to deliver an average of more than two aircraft per week to India over the next 10 years, according to Jurgen Westermeier, President and Managing Director of Airbus India and South Asia. The manufacturer currently holds a backlog of over 1,200 aircraft for Indian carriers, a figure that necessitates a sustained delivery rate of approximately 120 jets annually through 2036. This expansion comes as Airbus continues to solidify its footprint in the region, with the company currently providing more than 500 of the approximately 800 commercial aircraft operating in India today.

Operational Impact and Market Growth

For Indian airlines, this high-volume delivery schedule represents a significant shift in fleet capacity. As carriers modernize their operations, Airbus is working to support this growth by localizing essential Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities. According to Westermeier, developing these local services is critical to reducing turnaround times, allowing aircraft to return to revenue service more efficiently. While the manufacturer remains confident in its delivery pipeline, industry analysts have noted that global supply chain constraints and production bottlenecks could pose challenges to maintaining this consistent 120-aircraft annual pace.

Investigation into Air India AI2379

Beyond fleet growth, Airbus is cooperating with regulatory authorities regarding the recent Air India flight AI2379 incident. On August 4, 2026, an Airbus A320 operating from Phuket to Delhi experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop while over Odisha, resulting in injuries to 20 passengers and four cabin crew members. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the investigation into the event, with technical support from the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile (BEA) and Airbus. This incident mirrors historical safety concerns, such as the March 2024 LATAM Airlines Flight 800 altitude drop, which highlighted the risks of uncommanded altitude losses during cruise flight.

Expanding Localized MRO Infrastructure

To support the growing fleet, Airbus has selected Indamer Technics to establish South Asia’s first comprehensive radome repair facility in Nagpur. This service agreement designates Indamer Technics as an authorized provider for the repair, storage, and exchange of radomes across the A320, A330, A350, and A380 aircraft families. This facility is expected to support customer operations ahead of upcoming widebody aircraft inductions in the region.

Radome Repair Capability Comparison

AAIB Investigation Timeline

The AAIB is currently conducting its investigation into the Air India AI2379 event. A preliminary report is expected by late 2026. This document will be critical in determining whether the altitude loss resulted from technical system inputs or external factors, and it will likely influence future safety protocols for regional operators.

Why This Matters for Indian Aviation

This development signals a transition from mere aircraft sales to the establishment of a comprehensive domestic aviation ecosystem in India. By shifting MRO capabilities closer to the operator, Airbus is positioning itself to minimize the downtime associated with long-range logistics for critical components like radomes and avionics. For Indian airlines, the ability to maintain these high-tech systems locally is a strategic advantage that will dictate the reliability and profitability of their expanding widebody and single-aisle fleets over the next decade.