Blitz Bureau
INDIA’S aviation sector is experiencing a meteoric rise, fuelled by soaring demand and the Government’s unwavering commitment to its growth through supportive policies.
The industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its previous limitations and evolving into a vibrant and competitive sector. This dynamic shift has propelled India to the forefront of the global aviation ecosystem, becoming the thirdlargest domestic aviation market in the world, after the USA and China.
The Government’s commitment to nurturing aviation growth has been instrumental in this success story. A series of strategic initiatives have been implemented, each designed to empower the industry and unlock its full potential.
Asia-Pacific meet
The second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, which concluded on September 12, adopted Delhi Declaration that sets a framework for enhancing regional cooperation, addressing aviation challenges, and fostering sustainable growth. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Our aim is to bring air travel to the common people. We need to make air travel safe, affordable, and accessible to all. The Declaration, along with everyone’s efforts, will help us achieve that.”
India’s aviation industry has experienced significant growth in the past 10 years. The number of operational airports in the country has doubled from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024 and the aim is to increase this number to 350-400 by 2047. The domestic air passengers have more than doubled in the past decade, with Indian airlines significantly expanding their fleets.
Government initiatives
The springboard for this growth has been the Government’s policies and initiatives. One such initiative is the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCSUDAN) launched in 2016, which aims to provide connectivity to unserved and underserved airports of the country through the revival of the existing airstrips and airports.
The Government is also placing a strong emphasis on sustainability. This is evident in the achievements of Delhi and Mumbai airports, both of which have been awarded the prestigious Level 4+ Carbon Accreditation.
The UDAN scheme has undergone several successful iterations over the past seven years, focusing on connecting underserved and unserved regions of India. By reviving existing airstrips and airports, it aims to bring essential air travel access to previously isolated communities and boost regional economic development.
The announcement of launch of the UDAN 5.3 was made at the inauguration of ‘Wings India 2024’, in Hyderabad. Spanning across commercial, general, and business aviation, the theme for the show was ‘Connecting India to the World in Amrit Kaal: Setting the Stage for India Civil Aviation @2047’.
Carbon neutrality steps
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken initiatives to work towards carbon neutrality and achieving net zero carbon emissions at airports in the country by way of standardising the carbon accounting and reporting framework of airports. Operators with scheduled operations have been advised to map the carbon emission at their respective airports and to work towards carbon neutrality and net zero emission in a phased manner.
The ministry is also encouraging developers of new greenfield airports, in collaboration with respective state governments, to prioritise carbon neutrality and net zero emissions in their development plans. As on July 25 this year, 12 greenfield airports have been constructed/operationalised since 2014. Forty-eight airports/airstrips have been constructed by AAI since 2014.
