Embraer and Adani Aviation Systems Finalize MoU for Aircraft Assembly Line at Dholera Airport

What Was Announced

During a progress review of Dholera International Airport, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu announced that Embraer of Brazil and Adani Aviation Systems had finalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish the final assembly line for India's first civilian "Make in India" aircraft at Dholera, with the first aircraft targeted to roll out in 2028. A formal agreement has been finalized between Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer and Adani Aviation Systems. The collaboration will establish a Final Assembly Line (FAL) right inside the Dholera airport complex to manufacture India's very first civilian "Make in India" commercial aircraft. The joint venture aims to roll out its first completed aircraft by the year 2028.

Strategic Context: The Airport Project

Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Tuesday said around 80 per cent of the construction of Dholera International Airport has been completed, with the Centre aiming to operationalise the facility by September or October after completing construction and securing regulatory approvals. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower, runway, taxiway and ancillary structures have already reached 100 per cent completion. Work on the passenger terminal building is currently at 75% progress.

The airport is the first airport in India to be integrated with a manufacturing hub, a greenfield smart city and a semiconductor cluster.

The MRO Facility for Defence Aircraft

Tata's semiconductor facility and Airbus's defence partnerships would benefit from dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangars planned at the airport, which will support maintenance of India's indigenous C-295 military transport aircraft. The complex will host dedicated, specialized hangars for the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) of the C-295 military transport aircraft, which are currently being produced under the Airbus-Vadodara defense partnership.

Airport Infrastructure Specifications

The airport will include a 25,000-square-metre passenger terminal capable of handling 20 lakh passengers annually and a dedicated 2,500-square-metre cargo terminal to support the industrial ecosystem developing in Dholera.

Multi-Modal Connectivity

Dholera would function as a multi-modal transport hub linked to a six-lane National Highway and a high-speed rail corridor. Referring to the recently approved Rs 20,667 crore rail project, the railway station would be built adjacent to the airport terminal, allowing passengers travelling from Ahmedabad to directly access the terminal from the high-speed train.

Project Governance

The project is being developed through a joint venture involving the Airports Authority of India, the Gujarat government and NICDIT under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Next Steps

All contractors and agencies have been directed to complete the remaining on-site work by September, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation will coordinate with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to complete licensing formalities within the next three months. The central government is aggressively targeting September or October 2026 for the commencement of formal commercial operations, aiming to complete the remaining tasks within a strict three-month window.