India’s aviation story is no longer constrained by demand. The real challenge now lies in building an ecosystem that can keep pace. As the country prepares for a sharp rise in aircraft requirements over the next two decades, the spotlight is shifting to supply chains, certification systems, and industrial depth. For Flamingo Aerospace, the next 24 months are critical. The company is moving beyond final assembly towards creating a scalable manufacturing and maintenance ecosystem anchored in localisation. In this conversation with Subhakar Pappula, Founder & CEO, Flamingo Aerospace, the focus spans supplier development, MSME integration, MRO localisation, and talent pipelines, all of which will determine whether India can transition from an aviation market to an aviation manufacturing hub.
With a target of 30 aircraft by 2030, what are the critical supply chain and infrastructure milestones? What must Flamingo Aerospace achieve in the next 24 months to transition from the final assembly line to high-volume manufacturing?
India’s aviation growth is no longer a question of demand; it is a question of ecosystem readiness. Over the next 20 years, the region is expected to require thousands of new aircraft and a significantly expanded support ecosystem, including talent, maintenance, and supply chain depth. For us, the next 24 months are about building that missing middle layer between the final assembly line and scale. This includes developing a reliable Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier base, strengthening certification infrastructure, and ensuring production systems can operate at global quality benchmarks. Our partnership with United Aircraft Corporation provides a phased pathway from aircraft supply to localisation and eventual manufacturing. The focus now is on ensuring that as volumes scale, the ecosystem scales with it.
How does Flamingo Aerospace plan to integrate Indian MSMEs into your Tier-1 supplier network while ensuring they meet the stringent global certification standards required for the IL-114-300 programme?
One of the biggest structural opportunities in India lies in its MSME base. The real opportunity is not only participation but qualification. Global aerospace supply chains operate on stringent certification, strong process discipline and consistent quality. India has solid manufacturing capability, but scaling it to aerospace-grade standards requires focused and structured alignment with these global frameworks. The right approach is to begin with lower-complexity components such as interiors. This creates a natural entry point for MSMEs and allows them to gradually move up the value chain through technology partnerships and alignment with certification requirements. India’s MSME ecosystem will be central to the long-term localisation journey.
As the current phase focuses on aircraft acquisition and earlystage localisation, initial indigenisation is expected to begin with select components, opening the door for wider supplier participation. The emphasis is on progressively integrating Indian suppliers into the value chain through capability development and adherence to global aerospace standards, supported by partnerships with global OEMs. This ensures that localisation is not only about cost efficiency but also about building globally competitive manufacturing capability in India.
How will your localised MRO and lifecycle support strategy specifically reduce “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) times and logistics costs for regional operators compared to relying on international part distribution centres?
A key pillar of our strategy is the development of a domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul ecosystem, which is expected to be established in phases alongside aircraft induction. Currently, Indian operators often rely on international supply chains for spare parts and maintenance, which increases turnaround time and costs. By localising MRO and parts availability within India, we aim to significantly improve aircraft availability and reduce downtime. This approach aligns with the broader vision of building a self-reliant aviation ecosystem in India, reducing dependency on overseas logistics.
This is an abridged version of the interview published in the May edition of the Logistics Insider Magazine. To read the complete interaction, click here.
