New Dehli June 02 (KNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the event’s return to India after 42 years.
Welcoming global aviation leaders, Modi highlighted India’s transformative journey, stating that India has emerged as a confident, innovative, and policy-driven nation shaping the future of aviation. “India is not just a vast market; it’s a hub of innovation, policy leadership, and inclusivity,” he said.
Modi underlined India’s achievements in civil aviation, noting it is now the third-largest domestic market globally. He credited initiatives like UDAN for enabling over 15 million passengers to experience affordable air travel and highlighted that Indian airlines are witnessing double-digit growth, flying 240 million passengers annually.
With airport capacity rising to 500 million passengers and 3.5 million metric tons of cargo annually—expected to triple by 2030—India is investing heavily in infrastructure. Modi noted that operational airports have grown from 74 in 2014 to 162 today, with over 2,000 new aircraft on order.
He emphasized India’s commitment to sustainability through green technologies, sustainable aviation fuels, and digital solutions like Digi Yatra, which streamlines passenger experiences via facial recognition. Modi called it a “secure and smart solution, a model for the Global South.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel”
Highlighting India’s strategic reforms, Modi pointed to new policies such as the Indian Aircraft Act and incentives for aircraft leasing at Gift City, positioning India as a competitive hub for aviation businesses. He projected a \$4 billion Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector by 2030, as the number of MRO facilities has grown from 96 to 154.
Modi stressed India’s leadership in the global aviation value chain—from design to delivery—and encouraged companies to embrace both ‘Make in India’ and ‘Design in India’. He also highlighted India’s inclusive approach, with women making up 15% of pilots, far above the global average of 5%.
He emphasized the importance of safety, aligning India’s aviation standards with global benchmarks, and reaffirmed India’s support for Open Skies and global connectivity under the Chicago Convention.
Concluding, Modi urged the aviation industry to work together for a future where air travel is accessible, affordable, and sustainable.
Union Ministers Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol, IATA Board Chairman Pieter Elbers, IATA Director General Willie Walsh, and IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia were present at the event.
The IATA AGM and WATS, running from June 1-3, bring together over 1,600 aviation leaders, government officials, and media representatives to discuss industry challenges, including sustainability, energy security, and innovation.(KNS)