Dholera, Bhogapuram vie for Embraer’s final assembly line
Currently, there are 50 Embraer aircraft of 11 different types operating in the country for airlines, charter companies and defence forces.
Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are seen as main contenders for Embraer’s final assembly line for commercial aircraft in India.
The Brazilian plane-maker is in discussion with Adani Group to build the final assembly for its E1 and E2 jets which are flown by airlines around the world.
There is a strong buzz that Dholera in Gujarat and Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh are potential contenders. The two sides — Embraer and Adani Group are discussing the project nuances, and decisions related to quantum of investment, manufacturing site etc are yet to be finalised.
“Gujarat is emerging as a hub for aircraft manufacturing with the inauguration of the final assembly line for Airbus C295 aircraft in Vadodara in 2024. A smart-industrial city is being developed at Dholera and it has also already attracted Tata Group’s semi- conductor plant,” an industry expert remarked.
Andhra Pradesh too is vying for the Embraer production facility at the upcoming Bhogapuram airport that is being constructed by the GMR Group.
While an Adani Group project at a GMR Group airport may sound unlikely, the State is making a strong pitch. “Yes we are keen, and Bhogapuram is very much on our radar,” Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications in the Government of Andhra Pradesh told businessline.
Concerted push
“The AP government has been proactively engaging with global aerospace OEMs and partners, and we see strong strategic logic in positioning Bhogapuram as an aerospace and MRO hub alongside the international airport,” he said adding that “we are making a concerted push, highlighting land availability, airside access, skilled talent pipeline, policy support, and long-term ecosystem development.”
Those tracking the developments, however, believe that the groups may choose Dholera for the aircraft production plant. A special purpose vehicle of state and central government is developing a greenfield international airport at Dholera which is nearly 100 kilometres from Ahmedabad. The airport is expected to be ready by mid-2026. An aerospace park is being planned in the vicinity to attract investment in the sector.
Embraer declined comment. The Adani and GMR groups did not respond to email queries.
Currently, there are 50 Embraer aircraft of 11 different types operating in the country for airlines, charter companies and defence forces. Star Air is the only airline customer and it operates nine E175 planes. The airline is also said to be in talks to acquire 20 more Embraer aircraft.
Order book
At present. the plane-maker manufactures the E-Jets in Brazil. As of last November, the plane-maker had a pending order book of 490 planes and delivered over 1,900 planes of the type. On its part, Embraer has set up a subsidiary in India for sourcing components and parts for its aircraft. It also tied up with Mahindra Group last October to offer C-390 medium transport aircraft for the Air Force.
Industry experts say large commercial orders would be needed to make the new manufacturing site feasible.
“The most critical requirement for aircraft manufacturing is a skilled workforce which India lacks at present. Both the facilities and workforce would need approval of regulators,” said an industry expert. “Investment in any new site would depend upon the production rate targeted by the company,” he added.
Published on January 13, 2026
