India poised to be one of world’s largest aviation mkts, says ACI

Driven by a strong passenger traffic growth, India is poised to become one of the largest aviation markets in the world, according to a global body of airports. The Airports Council International (ACI) said that major commercial airports in China, India and Korea remained the major driving forces for the robust air passenger growth in the Asia-Pacific region. "India is also poised to be one of the largest aviation markets in the world in the years to come. "The combination of a move towards a more liberalised

market for aviation, coupled with stronger economic fundamentals, helped the country become one of the fastestgrowing markets in the world," ACI said in a release. In June, passenger traffic grew 9.9 per cent in the AsiaPacific region, higher than 8.8 per cent year-to-date growth rate. As per ACI, international and domestic passenger traffic were strong during the first half of 2016 at 10.1 per cent and 8.2 per cent, respectively, reports PTI. "Major commercial airports in China, India and Korea remained the major driving forces for the robust air passenger growth in the region (+12.1 per cent, +17 per cent and +14.1 per cent, respectively)," the release said.

"A 20.6 per cent increase in domestic passenger traffic in India is worth a special note," it added. ACI also said Delhi airport saw a significant growth of 21.5 per cent in June or "+4.75 million passengers year-to- date". Seoul's Incheon airport saw a growth of +13.7 per cent or +3.34 million passengers year-to-date, among others.