Nation to become drone hub soon: Minister

India 3rd larges buyer of aircraft: Scindia

A350 aircraft to take wings in India In a landmark moment for Indian aviation, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindiao inaugurated India’s first Airbus A350 aircraft on the first day of Wings India 2024 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad on Thursday. Air India’s A350 enters commercial service on January 22, 2024, initially operating domestically for crew familiarisation on flights to/ from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The aircraft will be subsequently deployed on international routes, the Air India said in a release here. Air India’s first A3 50, registered VT-JRA, is the first of Air India’s 20 Airbus A350-900 on order, with five more scheduled for deliveries through March 2024. Air India’s firm orders for 250 new aircraft with Airbus include 20 A350-1000 as well. This not only marks the arrival of a state-of-the-art aircraft to Air India’s fleet, but also signifies India’s growing stature as a major player in the global aviation industry.

Hyderabd, Jan 19:

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Thursday said India has become the third largest purchaser of aircraft, after the USA and China.

Addressing after inaugurating the four-day ‘Wings India 2024’, Asia’s largest event on civil aviation (Commercial, General and Business Aviation), at Begumpet Airport here, Scindia said that India is expected to grow to 300 million domestic passengers by 2030 and would still be one of the most unpenetrated markets in the top 20 world markets.

He stated that India is on the path of becoming the ‘drone hub’ of the world and 10,000 women drone pilots would be covered under the Government-sponsored scheme.

“India has become a shining star in the aviation landscape. India is the 7th largest civil aviation market in the world and if we consider both the domestic and international passengers, we stand as the 5th largest,” the Minister added.

He emphasized that over the last 75 years since Independence, from Amrit Kaal to moving towards Shatabdi Kaal, India has traversed a long distance, with new records, faster development, and a rise in the international landscape.

To enable last-mile connectivity, under UDAN 5.3, five new regional airlines, air taxis have been set up. The democratisation of the Indian civil aviation sector was a result of the Sankalp of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Scindia.

While emphasizing the 3 As of accessibility, availability, and affordability, he added, “These 3 As characterize India’s civil aviation perspective to the world.” Speaking on the occasion, Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd.), Minister of State, Ministry of Civil Aviation & Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways,emphasized that civil aviation is a lucrative sector all over the world, contributing to both the national and global GDP.

Telangana Minister for Roads and Buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, said that Hyderabad has become a hub for wings and global civil aviation.

“Telangana is the fastest growing state in civil aviation with a thrust on aviation and aerospace,” he said.

Reddy also highlighted that the state government was focusing on setting up a helipad in each district and Heli-tourism in Hyderabad and Vemulawada.

Asangba Chuba Ao, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, said that India was not just about planes and runways but is setting the tone for civil aviation with an international significance including major deals and substantive growth.

Remi Maillard, chairman FICCI Civil Aviation Committee as well as president and managing director of Airbus (India & South Asia) shared industry insights and the more recent groundbreaking technological developments.

He stated that the Paris Airshow held last year was an Indian air show with record air deliveries to India.