AVIATION SECTOR AT INFLECTION POINT

The 23 per cent growth seen in the domestic aviation sector, which is also highest in the world, is “not a flash in the pan”

THE FIRST-EVER AERO EXPO, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held in Delhi over two days which saw a slew of intense discussions on the future of aviation, particularly regional aviation. Setting the tone for the two-day conference was the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju. Also present at the inaugural were the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Jayant Sinha, and the Minister from Ireland for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen.

The Civil Aviation Minister reassured the Indian civil aviation industry, emphasising that the government of the day is exploring all possibilities for capacity expansion of leading airports in the country as well doing its best to make sure that the regional air connectivity is accomplished as per its UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) initiative. The domestic aviation sector is on the ‘upswing’ and is at an inflection point. “We are working to connect unconnected and serve unserved.”

The Minister also stressed that though the domestic civil aviation industry has been growing at a rate of more than 20 per cent in the last few years, higher passenger growth in civil aviation sector is still a challenge for the government which could be won with addition of capacities in India’s leading airports. “We are taking all possible steps in making India the third largest aviation market,” he added. Also complimenting the organisers of Aero Expo 2016, he said: “This is a commendable initiative and should happen every year.”

The Minister of State Jayant Sinha asked civil aviation industry to grow in such a manner so that its passenger traffic, currently estimated at about 150 million for domestic and overseas sector multiplies manifold and catches up with the air traffic growth of China which presently is calculated at 500 million per annum. The ministry, he mentioned, had adopted a three-pronged strategy under its UDAN initiative – expansion of airport capacities; ensuring regional connectivity and equipping the passenger with better level of satisfaction and experience under its Air Sewa initiative. DOZEN SCHEDULE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS SOON. The Secretary of Civil Aviation Rajiv Nayan Choubey reiterated the government’s commitment for higher growth of