‘Air cargo will help economy’

AT THE ROUNDTABLE at ‘Wings India 2018’, Jayant Sinha, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, said the need of the hour is a solution-centric approach to creating a world-class industry.

A collaborative, consultative and a comprehensive approach between the private sector, air cargo and logistics industry and the government is required

He said the air cargo industry has high potential to be developed as a major industry and an economy enabler, like the passenger aviation industry. Stressing that there is a need for a collaborative, consultative and a comprehensive approach between the private sector, air cargo and logistics industry and the government; the government would play a facilitator’s role in regulation and policy. “Initiatives are already underway for a comprehensive involvement of the Ministry of commerce & Industry and the Department of Revenue,” Sinha informed. Recording a 15 per cent annualised growth and a 20 per cent EBITDA, the air cargo industry ships about 3.7 lakh metric tonnes goods every year and agriculture and food products, pharmaceuticals, leather and textiles are the primary sectors. Today, 65 per cent of air cargo, including domestic and international are moved by top 10 airlines and the vast majority of air cargo is concentrated at the top 10 airports of the country. D Peter

Immanuel, CEO, Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council, said that the aviation sector could take the country to a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth trajectory. However, this growth could be hampered with the lack of skilled manpower. Skill development is needed to be demand-driven with industry-led initiatives. While giving the industry perspective, Palash Roy Chowdhury, Co-chair, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee & MD - India, Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies India, said, “Providing effective and efficient skill training would allow country to emerge as an exporter of talent to the world.”