“Summit, Dialogue A Platform Not Only For Aviation But Also For Advancing Global Cooperation, Climate Commitments, Equitable Growth”
“Travel No Longer Confined To Cities On Earth, With Increasing Ambitions To Commercialise Space Flights &Interplanetary Journeys, Integrating Them Into Civil Aviation”
“India’s Airlines Continue To Achieve Double-Digit Growth, With 240 Million Passengers Flying Annually—Surpassing Total Population Of Most Countries Worldwide”
“India’s Airports Now Have An Annual Handling Capacity Of 500 Million Passengers, Is Among Few Nations Setting New Standards In User Experience Through Technology”
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that India plays a significant role in the global aviation ecosystem – not just as a vast market but also as a symbol of policy leadership, innovation and inclusive development.
“Today, India is emerging as a global leader in space-aviation convergence,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the civil aviation sector has witnessed historic advancements over the past decade, which are well recognised, an official statement said.
The Prime Minister addressed the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the plenary session of World Air Transport Summit (WATS) at Bharat Mandapam here. Emphasising that this summit and dialogue serve as a platform not only for aviation but also for advancing global cooperation, climate commitments, and equitable growth, Modi highlighted that discussions at the summit will provide new direction to global aviation, unlocking its infinite possibilities and optimising its potential.
He remarked on humanity’s ability to cover vast distances and intercontinental journeys in mere hours, stressing that the aspirations of the 21st century continue to evolve beyond conventional travel. He noted the rapid pace of innovation and technological advancements, stating that as speed increases, distant destinations are becoming our destiny.
Underscoring that travel is no longer confined to cities on earth, with increasing ambitions to commercialise space flights and interplanetary journeys, integrating them into civil aviation, Modi acknowledged that while such developments will take time, they highlight aviation’s future as a centre of transformation and innovation, for which India is fully prepared.
Modi also outlined three foundational pillars driving India’s aviation sector, first, a vast market—not merely a collection of consumers but a reflection of India’s aspirational society. Second, a strong demographic and talent pool—where young innovators are pioneering breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and clean energy. Third, an open and supportive policy ecosystem—enabling industrial growth.
Modi asserted that with these strengths, India is poised to elevate its aviation sector to unprecedented heights. Highlighting India’s remarkable transformation in civil aviation over the past years, Modi said, “India has become the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world.”
Emphasising the success of the UDAN scheme, calling it a golden chapter in Indian civil aviation history, Modi said that under this initiative, over 15 million passengers have benefitted from affordable air travel, enabling many citizens to fly for the first time.
He said that India’s airlines continue to achieve double-digit growth, with 240 million passengers flying annually—surpassing the total population of most countries worldwide.
He also said that by 2030, this number is expected to reach 500 million passengers.
The Prime Minister stated that India is actively working on a futuristic roadmap to maximize this potential.
He underscored India’s investment in world-class airport infrastructure, noting that in 2014, the country had 74 operational airports, which has now expanded to 162.
Modi informed that Indian carriers have placed orders for over 2,000 new aircraft, signalling rapid growth in the sector.
“India’s airports now have an annual handling capacity of 500 million passengers and is among the few nations setting new standards in user experience through technology. Equal priority is being given to safety, efficiency and sustainability,” Modi noted.
He highlighted that growth in the aviation sector translates to new flights, new jobs, and new possibilities, noting that the industry is creating expanding opportunities for pilots, crew members, engineers, and ground staff.
Modi also pointed to the emergence of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) as a sunrise sector, highlighting that India is accelerating efforts to become a global hub for aircraft maintenance.
He recalled that in 2014, India had 96 MRO facilities, which has now increased to 154 while 100 percent FDI under the automatic route, GST reduction, and tax rationalization measures have given fresh momentum to India’s MRO sector.
He outlined India’s goal to establish a four billion USD MRO hub by 2030, reinforcing the nation’s aviation growth strategy.
Stressing that India should not be viewed merely as an aviation market but as a value-chain leader, Modi averred that “From design to delivery, India is becoming an integral part of the global aviation supply chain. India’s direction and pace are on the right track, expressing confidence in the nation’s continued rapid progress.
Modi urged aviation companies to not only embrace ‘Make in India’ but also ‘Design in India’, reinforcing the vision of India’s leadership in global aviation innovation.
Modi said that India’s aviation sector is strengthened by its inclusive model, with over 15 percent of pilots in India are women, which is three times the global average. He said that while the global average of women in cabin crew is around 70 percent, India’s figure stands at 86 percent.
Similarly, women engineers in India’s MRO sector exceed global averages, demonstrating growing female participation in the industry.
Modi said drone technology is a key component of aviation’s future, and India is leveraging it for technological advancements as well as financial and social inclusion.
Drones are being used to empower women’s self-help groups, increasing their participation in agriculture, delivery services and various other sectors, he added.
Union Ministers Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Murlidhar Mohol, Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors, Pieter Elbers, Director General of IATA, Willie Walsh, Managing Director of IndiGo, Rahul Bhatia were present at the event.
