SINDHU JHA
THE Union Government is planning to manufacture commercial aircraft in the country under its ambitious Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) project. The Civil Aviation Ministry is preparing a proposal to be submitted to the Finance Ministry.
According to sources, the RTA, a 90-seat turboprop aircraft, aims to boost domestic aviation manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign aircraft manufacturers. The project is backed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), with growing interest from India’s private aerospace sector.
The RTA is expected to serve short-haul routes between smaller cities, which are often not covered by large aircraft. The aircraft will be optimised for operations on shorter runways and in less-developed airports, aligning with the Government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel more accessible to people in regional and remote areas. These aircraft will play a crucial role in certifying the new platform before commercial production begins.
The RTA is envisioned as a crucial part of India’s efforts to meet the growing demand for regional air travel, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Several private sector companies, like Airbus and Boeing, have shown keen interest in joining the RTA programme.
India’s regional aviation market is growing rapidly, with a surge in demand for cost-effective and efficient short-haul aircraft. Currently, most regional airlines in the country rely on foreign-made turboprop aircraft like the ATR series.
The RTA project is not just about meeting domestic aviation needs but also holds strategic significance for India’s broader aerospace ambitions.
