New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu unveiled the Curtain Raiser for the 23rd installment of the Routes Asia event on 29 September 2026. The event will be held from 16 to 18 March 2027 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
With the theme of “Bharat Aviation Rising: Inclusive Growth Connecting Asia & Beyond”, the event will boost international relations, air connectivity, tourism, and economic growth. It will foster bilateral aviation, particularly with the Southeast Asian countries.
The Curtain Raiser witnessed the participation of representatives of 28 embassies along with leading aviation stakeholders. While unveiling the event, the minister said, “Routes 2027 is coming to the right place, at the right time, with the right opportunity! There is room for more capacity, more airlines, and more routes.”
Naidu also highlighted the growing importance of the hub-and-spoke model, which can connect more cities and people with emerging markets, creating opportunities for airlines, tourism, and economic growth.
He also mentioned that the Civil Aviation Ministry is set to build 100 more airports in the next decade, along with growing international air travel, with passenger traffic recording a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%.
India received the hosting baton for Routes Asia 2027 from the China West Airport Group at the 2026 edition held in Xi’an, China, in April this year. The upcoming edition is expected to attract over 2,000 delegates, including decision-makers from leading airlines, airports and tourism authorities.
The Curtain Raiser event was also attended by Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation. Routes Asia 2027 will provide a strategic platform for strengthening partnerships, developing new air routes and positioning India as a preferred aviation and connectivity destination.