At the second Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in New Delhi, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. K. Rammohan Naidu, emphasised the nation’s ambitions to become a global aviation hub and kickstart domestic aircraft manufacturing. He emphasised the importance of infrastructure, integration, and innovation in achieving sustainable growth in the sector. India’s civil aviation market, one of the fastest-growing globally, has seen a significant expansion in fleet size, domestic passengers, and operational airports since 2014.
Mr. Naidu also outlined plans to increase the number of airports from the current 157 to 350-400 by 2047, positioning India as a key player in the global aviation landscape. Additionally, he stressed India’s potential to provide cost-effective and high-quality Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services to both domestic and international airlines. The country is also pushing for sustainable growth through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with ambitious blending targets for international flights by 2030. The event was attended by 250 representatives from 41 countries, highlighting India’s strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region’s aviation expansion.
