Air TransportEmbraer and Adani confirm plans for commercial aircraft assembly line in India
Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace have confirmed plans to establish a commercial aircraft assembly line in India under a memorandum of understanding annnounce on Tuesday. The agreement marks the first explicit step toward local assembly of Embraer commercial aircraft in the country and would represent a major change from the manufacturer’s current production footprint, which is fully concentrated in Brazil.
While Embraer did not specify aircraft types in the announcement, Adani said earlier this month that the proposed production range would span from the E175, configured with 76 seats, through the E190-E2 with 114 seats, up to the E195-E2, which seats up to 146 passengers. The plan would cover Embraer’s full portfolio of current-generation regional jets.
“India is a pivotal market for Embraer, and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adani’s strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisation,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
“Regional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion. With initiatives like UDAN transforming air connectivity across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the need for an indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become critical,” said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence & Aerospace.
The plan calls for an initial, limited assembly operation, followed by a phased increase in local content in line with Indian government requirements.
Adani Defence & Aerospace is part of the Adani Group, one of India’s largest industrial conglomerates, with established operations in airports, defense manufacturing, maintenance, and training. Despite its presence across the aviation value chain, the group does not currently manufacture aircraft, making the proposed assembly line dependent on Embraer’s engineering and production know-how.
Fewer than 50 aircraft in operation
For Embraer, the partnership fits into a wider effort to gain traction in the Indian market, where its footprint remains limited. Fewer than 50 Embraer aircraft are currently in service in the country, and Star Air is the only significant commercial operator of the manufacturer’s regional jets. The airline operates E175 and ERJ145 aircraft and may announce its first direct order with Embraer in the coming days during the Wings India 2026 airshow.
The agreement with Adani comes alongside a separate industrial partnership Embraer signed last year with the Mahindra Group. That arrangement is focused on defense and would support the KC-390 Millennium if Embraer is selected in India’s Medium Transport Aircraft competition, which calls for between 40 and 80 aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
India’s commercial aviation market is expanding rapidly, driven by traffic growth and network expansion beyond major hubs. At present, the country’s airlines operate fleets exclusively composed of aircraft from Airbus, Boeing, and ATR, including large orders placed by IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet. An Embraer assembly line would introduce a new manufacturer into that landscape for the first time.
Under the memorandum, Embraer and Adani plan to evaluate aircraft manufacturing, supply chain development, aftermarket support, and training activities. No timeline, investment figures, or final industrial configuration have been disclosed.
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