The Adani Group is preparing to enter aircraft manufacturing through a partnership with Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, marking a significant expansion of its aviation ambitions beyond airports and maintenance services.
Adani Aerospace recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Embraer to set up a final assembly line in India for the manufacturer’s regional jets. These aircraft are typically deployed on short and medium haul routes and can accommodate between 70 and 146 passengers.
An official announcement is expected at the Hyderabad Air Show next month, though the companies have not yet disclosed details.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader Make in India push, and officials are said to be considering indirect incentives to support the project. These may include fiscal benefits for airlines that place orders from the proposed Indian assembly line, with incentives tapering as order volumes increase.
Embraer already has a meaningful footprint in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across commercial, defence and business aviation segments currently in operation. In commercial aviation, regional carrier Star Air operates Embraer jets and may expand its fleet, while several start-up airlines are evaluating Embraer aircraft amid long delivery timelines from Airbus and Boeing.
India is the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, with airlines having placed over 1,800 aircraft orders, prompting government efforts to attract global aircraft manufacturers to establish local production facilities.
For the Adani Group, the move complements its plan to invest ₹1 lakh crore in airport infrastructure over five years. The group has already expanded into MRO facilities, flight simulation training, and plans to enter engine MRO and passenger-to-freighter conversions, aiming to build a comprehensive aviation services platform.