GE Aerospace has announced plans to nearly double its spending on suppliers in India between 2025 and 2030, as the country’s aviation sector prepares for a sharp increase in passenger traffic, aircraft deliveries and maintenance requirements. The announcement coincides with the release of a report by Ernst & Young (EY), titled Powering Progress: GE Aerospace’s Economic Impact in India. The report examines the company’s contribution to commercial aviation, defence, manufacturing and engineering during its four decades of operations in the country. It was released at the industry gathering ‘India Taking Flight – Aviation, Innovation and the Road to Viksit Bharat 2047’, hosted by GE Aerospace.
India’s domestic airlines generated approximately US$19 billion in revenue in FY26. The aviation ecosystem supports an estimated 370,000 direct jobs, with advanced aircraft engines and reliable operations playing an important role in improving connectivity across the country.
According to the report, GE Aerospace and its partner companies supplied engines powering the majority of commercial airline operations in India, with more than 1,400 engines in service as of December 2025. Indian airlines recorded a passenger load factor of 88.2% and aircraft utilisation of 12 to 14 hours per day, reflecting strong demand for air travel.
Vikram Rai, CEO for South Asia at GE Aerospace, said India’s aviation growth presents significant opportunities for the company’s manufacturing and engineering operations. He added that increasing supplier spending would help expand the domestic supply chain and support the country’s ambitions under the Viksit Bharat programme.
The company spent approximately US$200 million on its Indian supply chain in 2025. Its supplier network includes 17 major domestic partners, including small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside its manufacturing facility in Pune. Since 2024, GE Aerospace has invested nearly US$55 million in the Pune facility to expand automation, improve precision manufacturing and strengthen workforce training.
India’s aviation industry is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. Government estimates project domestic passenger traffic to reach 1.1 billion annually by 2040, compared with 340 million in FY26. The number of airports is expected to increase from 163 to more than 350 by 2047. GE Aerospace and its partners are also expected to play a major role in supporting new aircraft entering service with Indian carriers. The associated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) opportunity is estimated at more than US$5.5 billion.
The company’s Bengaluru Technology Centre, established in 2000, supports global engineering and research activities. Its engineers have contributed to major aircraft engine programmes, secured more than 1,000 aviation patents and supported the development of advanced engine technologies.
GE Aerospace also works with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on defence engines, including those used in India’s Tejas Mk1 aircraft. Its planned domestic manufacturing cooperation for F414 engines for the Tejas Mk2 programme remains subject to final agreements and approvals. The planned increase in supplier spending is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing base, develop local engineering talent and support the country’s expanding commercial and defence aviation requirements.
