India will require 1,750 new passenger and cargo aircraft over the period 2017-2036 to meet an exponential rise in both passenger and freight traffic, according to Airbus’ latest India Market Forecast. Airbus predicts that India will need 1,320 new single-aisle aircraft and 430 widebody aircraft valued at $255bn.

While much of the air traffic growth is expected to be driven by the fast expanding economy, rising wealth and urbanisation, ambitious government-backed regional connectivity programmes are also set to enhance demand for air travel.

By 2036, Indians are expected to make four times as many flights as today. As a result, traffic serving the Indian market is forecast to grow 8.1% per year over the next 20 years, almost twice as fast as the world average of 4.4%.

Domestic Indian traffic is expected to grow five-and-half times over the next 20 years (2017-2036) reaching the same level as U.S. domestic traffic today, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, according to the forecast.

Airbus claims to hold a 70% share of Indian carriers' current order backlog and 60% of the country's in-service fleet.