, the global CEO of pan-European aircraft maker Airbus , is bullish about India’s potential as an aviation industry and finds encouragement in PM Modi’s recent visit to the aerospace company’s facility at its headquarters in Toulouse, France. But Brégier is quick to point out that “too much bureaucracy” is still a hindrance to realising the industry’s potential. Comparing India with China, he said what’s missing in India is a “long term plan”. In an interview toin Hamburg, Germany, Brégier talks about where he thinks India stands and Airbus’ role in developing its aviation and aerospace industry. Edited excerpts:Oh yes. Prime Minister Modi visited us in Toulouse recently. He is very interested in high technologies, very open to new business models. We could move to joint ventures which we could control or co-control. That’s something new. In India, we have fantastic engineers. We have a design centre in Bengaluru which is doing a great job. We now have big groups and companies ready to invest in manufacturing. I have given the example of Dynamatic Technologies (which makes flap track beams for Airbus’ A320 and A330 planes). Yes, things are moving. But two years is very short in Indian aerospace. It will take a bit longer, but I feel really strong, fresh air coming from the Indian government and the PM.When I compare with China, which has the same population, I think what’s missing is a long-term plan. You need better infrastructure (in India). China will build 50 new airports in the next 10 years, when I think they already have many. This is the kind of thing we have to see. We have to look for a business-friendly environment with the airlines. Also, in India, like in France, you have too much bureaucracy. So we are equal at least on this one. Indian bureaucracy and French bureaucracy are probably among the top two or three in the world.No, no, no, not at all. We have more than plans. In fact, we have a decision in principle. I think the Indian market is big enough to have an MRO.But you will see it soon.That depends on the rules for flying international. But for domestic, we have been trying to promote the A330 regional in India. This will probably take a little more time. For instance, in China, from Shanghai to Beijing we have plenty of A330s flying. In India, the airlines first want to make money and then they will move to this next phase (of expansion). If you have too many rotations per day, what do you do? To transport more people you need bigger aircraft. But don’t forget that we also offer the A321. IndiGo, for instance, is flying the A320 which can accommodate 180 passengers. If in the future, if they move to the A321s, they can carry 240 passengers.(The reporter is in Hamburg at the invitation of Airbus)