{"id":163343,"date":"2026-11-04T13:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T07:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=163343"},"modified":"2026-11-04T03:09:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T21:39:09","slug":"indigo-and-air-india-need-a-third-rival-adani-ceo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/04\/indigo-and-air-india-need-a-third-rival-adani-ceo\/","title":{"rendered":"IndiGo and Air India Need a Third Rival: Adani CEO Calls for 3 Major Indian Airlines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DELHI-<\/strong> India needs three large national airlines to meet its rapidly growing aviation demand and strengthen the country’s position in international markets, according to Adani Airports CEO Arun Bansal. Speaking at Aviation India and South Asia 2026 in Delhi on November 3, 2026, Bansal said IndiGo (6E)<\/a> and Air India (AI)<\/a> already represent two major national carriers, but India needs a third airline of comparable scale to compete with global operators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bansal also called for stronger protection of domestic airlines before India considers expanding its open-skies policy. He argued that Indian carriers must first develop the fleet size, international networks, operating efficiencies and service standards needed to compete with established foreign airlines, particularly on long-haul routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: avgeekwithlens\/ Harsh Tekriwal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India Needs Three Airlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bansal said the country’s aviation market required three large domestic carriers rather than relying on a limited number of major airlines to accommodate future growth. He identified IndiGo and Air India as two existing national carriers and argued that a third airline should reach a similar scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal comes as Indian airlines face increasing demand for domestic and international travel. Bansal said passenger traffic could increase from approximately 300 million currently to between 1.1 billion and 1.2 billion by 2040-45, representing almost four times the present volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He stressed that domestic airlines should become more competitive before India exposes its aviation market to greater international competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Bansal, Indian carriers need sufficient scale to achieve global economies, improve service standards and expand their international presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The executive also pointed to India’s dependence on overseas aviation hubs, particularly in the Middle East, for connecting passengers travelling to Europe and the United States. Strengthening Indian airlines could help improve direct international connectivity and retain a larger share of international passenger traffic within the country’s aviation network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Gautam Adani X post<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Adani Plans $11 Billion Investment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Alongside his comments on airline competitiveness, Bansal outlined Adani Airports’ investment plans to expand India’s airport infrastructure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company intends to invest between $10 billion and $11 billion<\/strong> over the next seven years across airport development, non-aeronautical businesses and city-side projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adani Airports currently handles approximately 100 million passengers annually across its airport portfolio. The company aims to increase its annual passenger-handling capacity to 300 million over the next decade, reflecting its expectations for long-term growth in Indian air travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bansal also confirmed that the company intends to participate in the government’s next airport privatisation round, which is expected to include 11 airports. The proposed bidding process forms part of the government’s broader effort to attract private investment into airport operations and infrastructure development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The investment strategy will remain focused on India rather than overseas markets. Bansal indicated that Adani Airports would consider international expansion only if an especially attractive opportunity emerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Prateek Karandikar | Wikimedia Commons\nhttps:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Mumbai_airport_domestic_departure_terminal_1C_(8).JPG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mumbai Airport Expansion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adani Airports is also accelerating development work at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI)<\/a>, with Phase 2 planned to increase its passenger-handling capacity to 50 million annually by 2030. The expansion is intended to support growing demand across the Mumbai metropolitan region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)<\/a>, redevelopment of Terminal 1 is expected to increase the combined capacity of the two terminals from approximately 55 million to nearly 65 million passengers annually, ET<\/a> flagged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These projects form part of a wider infrastructure programme designed to accommodate rising passenger volumes. Adani Airports’ expansion plans underline the importance of increasing airport capacity alongside airline fleet growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bansal’s comments highlight the relationship between airline competitiveness and airport infrastructure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While additional terminals and airport capacity will help accommodate more travellers, India will also need larger domestic airline networks to improve direct international connections and compete more effectively with established global aviation hubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gautam Adani Plans to Launch New Airline in India<\/a><\/blockquote>