Mumbai, Mar 26: India’s aviation sector is entering a decisive expansion phase, with passenger traffic projected to reach 300 million domestic travellers by 2030 and commercial aircraft fleets expected to nearly double to around 1,100 aircraft by 2027. Against this backdrop, Airport360 Expo 2026 will take place on April 23–24, 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, bringing together airport operators, airlines, aviation authorities, technology providers and infrastructure developers to examine the next phase of airport development and passenger mobility in India.
Organised by Media Fusion, Airport360 builds on the success of the Inter Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS)and returns with an expanded scope covering airport infrastructure, operations and technology innovation. The exhibition is expected to host over 2,200 attendees, 50+ exhibitors and more than 100 aviation professionals and decision makers, along with participation from over 10 countries including Germany, Nepal, Bangkok, Singapore, Oman, positioning the event as a key industry platform for collaboration across the global aviation value chain.
Placing the exhibition in the context of India’s aviation growth trajectory, Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, said, “India’s aviation sector is witnessing one of the most dynamic growth phases globally. Over the next two decades, the industry will require close to 37,000 pilots and 38,000 maintenance technicians, highlighting the need for coordinated innovation across infrastructure, technology and human capital. Airport360 Expo has been conceived as a strategic platform where airport authorities, airport leaders, aviation technology providers, infrastructure developers and industry leaders can collaborate to build smarter, more efficient and future-ready airport ecosystems for India’s rapidly expanding aviation market.”
India currently ranks as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally and continues to register sustained growth driven by rising disposable incomes, rapid urbanisation, expanding regional connectivity and the growth of low-cost carriers. Government initiatives such as the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, along with major investments in airport infrastructure through public private partnerships, are strengthening the long-term foundation of the sector.
Reflecting these developments, Airport360 Expo 2026 will showcase innovations across the airport infrastructure and operations landscape including terminal technology, airport infrastructure solutions, MRO capabilities, ground handling automation, passenger processing systems and sustainability-focused airport design. The exhibition floor will feature a diverse line-up of aviation technology providers and infrastructure solution companies including Dormakaba India, Amadeus, AurionPro, CPG Consultants, Suprema, Dallmeier GmbH, among others.
Industry experts and technology providers participating in the exhibition note that the next phase of aviation expansion will depend on integrated infrastructure, operational efficiency and digital innovation.
Highlighting the strong growth trajectory of India’s aviation sector, Mr Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant & Commercial Aviation Lead, Frost & Sullivan, said, “As India expands its airport infrastructure and passenger traffic continues to rise, three priorities will shape the next phase of growth. These include building strong domestic MRO capability supported by global partnerships and training ecosystems, positioning India as a key international transit hub connecting East and West, and accelerating sustainability through SAF adoption and the electrification of ground support equipment. At the same time, workforce shortages, supply chain delays and rising operating costs remain structural challenges that require coordinated action. Clear aviation master planning, faster customs processes and wider adoption of digital and AI-driven solutions will be essential to scale efficiently. Platforms like Airport 360 Expo play an important role in bringing together industry stakeholders to accelerate collaboration across MRO, connectivity, sustainability and airport modernisation.”
Mr Jigar Mehta, Founder, Sankalit Consultants, said, “India has expanded its airport network from 74 to 159 in a decade and aims to reach 350 by 2047 while serving one billion passengers annually. With every dollar invested in aviation generating a 3.1 times GDP impact, the next phase of growth will depend on integrated digital infrastructure and secure operational ecosystems. Platforms such as Samagra Twin bring together more than 40 airport systems into a single operational view, enabling safer operations, reducing energy consumption by 10–25% and improving lifecycle efficiency. With air cargo projected to reach 10 million tonnes by 2030 and MRO infrastructure rapidly scaling, operational intelligence, cybersecurity and ecosystem connectivity will define the next generation of airport infrastructure. Airport 360 Expo provides a valuable platform for Sankalit Consultants to engage with industry stakeholders and contribute to shaping secure, digitally integrated and future ready airport ecosystems.”
Mr Susanta Nath Sharma, Principal Director & Business Head, AurionPro, said, “Airports today must evolve into intelligent, passenger-centric ecosystems where real-time insights drive operational excellence. As passenger volumes continue to grow and India prepares for nearly 50 new greenfield airports, the focus must shift towards smarter, digitally integrated terminals that can deliver seamless and queue-less passenger journeys. Technologies such as AI-driven feedback systems, IIoT, Digital Twins, and predictive analytics will play a critical role in enabling data-led airport operations. Evidence shows that effective queue management alone can improve airline turnaround times by 10–15 percent, highlighting the value of intelligent automation. At the same time, strengthening cybersecurity, operational governance, and sustainable infrastructure will be essential to building resilient aviation ecosystems. Platforms like Airport 360 Expo provide an important opportunity for the industry to collaborate and accelerate the development of future-ready airports.”
The exhibition will run alongside the Airport360 Conference, a flagship knowledge platform bringing together aviation leaders, policymakers and industry experts to examine the future of airport infrastructure and operations in India. The conference will be centred on the theme “Building Airports That Perform: Design, Operations & Readiness for India’s Next Aviation Surge” and will feature 12 sessions across two days covering airport design, operational efficiency, digital transformation, sustainability and passenger experience innovation.
Key industry leaders expected to contribute to the discussions include Mr Bharat Malkani, Chairman, Max Aerospace & Aviation Limited and President, MRO Association of India; Mr Chandrashekar Sreenivas, Vice President – Daily Operations & Customer Experience, Bangalore International Airport Ltd; Mr Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Senior Aviation Consultant & Commercial Aviation Lead, Frost & Sullivan; Mr Faiz Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, Muscat Duty Free; Mr Raman Sikka, Associate Principal, Sikka Associates; and Mr Prabhat Mahapatra, COO, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Capt. B V J K Sharma, CEO, Navi Mumbai International Airport; Simon Lotter, Head of Market for Asia & Pacific, Munich Airport International; Rajesh Jethwani, Executive Director, Aviation for Western India Projects, Project Director for Development of NMIA, AECOM; among others. These discussions will explore themes including airport operational readiness, commercial aviation growth, passenger experience transformation and infrastructure planning for the next phase of aviation expansion.
Further strengthening its industry impact, the event will also host the Airport360 Awards, recognising airports, service providers and industry leaders driving transformation across passenger experience, sustainability, safety, operational excellence and technology adoption. The awards aim to highlight breakthrough initiatives that are shaping the future of airport development in India.
With India poised to emerge as one of the world’s largest aviation markets over the coming decade, Airport360 Expo 2026 aims to provide a strategic platform for innovation, collaboration and knowledge exchange, enabling stakeholders to collectively shape the next generation of intelligent, resilient and passenger-centric airports.
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