HIGH TRAJECTORY PATH

Civil aviation is on a high trajectory growth path and it will soon be among the top five aviation markets of the world. Presently, India is the ninth largest civil aviation market in the world, with a market size of around $16 billion.

PUSAPATI ASHOK GAJAPATHI RAJU will go down in the annals of Indian aviation as one of the best ministers of civil aviation India has ever had. He is the man of the moment. Maybe, he is at the right place at the right time. When India is on the cusp of major economic transformation, he is spearheading that transformation in civil aviation. He is one minister, who in just about two years time in the ministry, has initiated radical and significant changes which will have a lasting impact on the sector in particular and the Indian economy in totality.

The highpoints of the ‘ work in progress’ are the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCPA) and the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) which are landmark policies. As such the civil aviation scenario in India was looking up and the NDA Government is giving it the necessary push, creating an ecosystem for aviation to soar. The RCS, the Minister has said, is cornerstone of our civil aviation policy. “It shall promote affordable flying and balanced regional growth.” IATA PRAISES INDIA’S REFORMS. Congratulating India on its efforts, the Director General and CEO of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Alexandre de Juniac said the Civil Aviation Policy contains some encouraging elements, such as developments on open-skies, code-sharing and foreign direct investment (FDI). In fact, allowing FDI of 100 per cent in an Indian airline places India among the most progressive states in this respect. But, de Juniac also noted concerns including the mandating of hybrid till for the regulation of airport charges, and the plans for a levy to cross-subsidise regional flights. “I look forward to engaging in a comprehensive dialogue with the government on what needs to change once the policy has had time to ‘mature’.” MARKET SIZE OF $16 BILLION. Indeed, civil aviation policies seem to be on the right track. Civil aviation is on a high trajectory growth path and it will soon be among the top five aviation markets of the world. India is the ninth largest civil aviation market in the world, with a market size of around $16 billion. IATA has said in its 20-year Air Passenger Forecast that India