Indian carriers need global scale before facing foreign competition: Adani Airports

Arun Bansal, CEO of Adani Airports Holdings Limited, has advocated for safeguarding India's airline industry against heightened foreign competition, reversing his earlier stance on liberalizing aviation markets. Bansal contends that domestic carriers require time to achieve the scale and operational maturity necessary to compete effectively on the global stage.

The shift in position reflects growing concerns within India's aviation sector about the readiness of homegrown airlines to withstand pressure from larger, well-established international carriers. Industry stakeholders have increasingly raised questions about whether relaxing foreign access restrictions could undermine the competitiveness of Indian operators that continue to grapple with challenges including high operating costs and infrastructure limitations.

Bansal's remarks underscore a broader debate within India's aviation community regarding the optimal timing and sequencing of market liberalization. While some have championed open skies policies to attract foreign investment and improve service quality, others contend that premature liberalization could disadvantage Indian carriers still in developmental phases.

The position reflects the complex balance Indian policymakers must strike between fostering a competitive aviation market and protecting strategic domestic operators. As India's aviation sector continues expanding, discussions around foreign carrier access are likely to intensify among regulators, airport operators, and airline management.