‘India can be 3rd largest aviation market’
Establishment of no-frill airports, increasing cost of fuel, e-commerce and skilled manpower are top issues which were discussed at the ASSOCHAM’s seventh international conference on Indian Civil Aviation on ‘Developing Regional and Remote Connectivity’ r
The Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) had organised a seventh international conference on Indian Civil Aviation on ‘Developing Regional and Remote Connectivity’ recently in the capital.
The event was inaugrated by Anil Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
“The government is working under the comprehensive civil aviation policy which includes all aspects from ground handling to maintenance focusing on regional and remote area air connectivity, said Srivastava adding, “Talks and discussions are going on with all the stakeholders and soon an effective policy will be in place.”
“Expected investment of US$12.1 billion during 2012-17 in the aviation sector will improve remote and regional connectivity with industrial hubs through establishment of no-frill airports, thereby transforming the nation’s structural landscape and significantly contributing towards realizing the vision of ‘Make in India’, said DS Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM.
“Indian Aviation is set for a quantum leap in the coming years and has the potential to become the world’s third largest aviation market by 2020,” Rawat added.
The session focussed on ‘Air Cargo scenario’ was chaired by SL Sharma, President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACAAI), Pradeep Panicker, Chief Commercial Officer AERO, DIAL, BK Mehrotra, General Manager (Cargo), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Kuku S Kumar, Director, IATA.
Mehrotra talked about the challenges faced by Indian air cargo industry, agenda of new government, initiatives by MoCA and plans to enhance cargo initiatives by AAI. “Special emphasis on enhancing the connectivity within the region and to the rest of the country. Public Private Partnership would be encouraged to tap into private sector resources and expertise and emphasis on massive infrastructural development, to name a few are the key areas where government is focussiong to improve the air cargo sectors,” he informed.
Panicker discussed the brighter as well as painful side of air cargo industry. “We have seen a pretty decent growth in cargo this year and if cargo is growing then it is a sign of overall growth of industry. Logistics industry should be given the industry status. Constantly increasing cost of fuel, paperless transactions and skilled manpower are issues that need to be addressed”, he said.
Skilled manpower echoing similar views, Sharma stressed on implementation of Electronic Data Interchange for seamless transactions globally.