Leaving its turbulent past behind, India´s civil aviation industry is standing at the threshold of transformation today. Airline operators that were bleeding for the last few consecutive quarters, turned profitable this year, aided by a healthy growth in passenger traffic and softening of crude oil prices.
Driven by a booming economy and rising disposable income, India is poised to become the third largest aviation market by 2030. The industry has witnessed large scale expansion of low-cost carriers (LCC), foreign direct investments in domestic airlines and privatization of airports over the last few years. Going forward, the government aims to create a liberal and investor friendly environment for the growth of civil aviation in the country. The Ministry of Civil Aviation recently released the draft National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) with the aim of promoting the entire aviation sector chain: cargo, MRO, general aviation, aerospace manufacturing and skill development; enhance ease of doing business through deregulation, simplified procedures and e-governance; enhance regional connectivity and take flying to the masses.
In view of the significance of the sector and need for highlighting the investment opportunities, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly launched the Indian Aviation Conference in 2008. The fifth edition of the conference will be held on March 17, 2016 in Hyderabad. The Conference is being organised alongside India´s largest and one-of-its-kind event on civil aviation, i.e., India Aviation 2016, comprising static and flying display by various aircraft. The theme of this year´s event is ´India´s Civil Aviation Sector: Potential as Global Manufacturing & MRO Hub´.
The conference will focus on the opportunities for investment in Indian civil aviation and highlight India´s potential for becoming a potential manufacturing and MRO hub, triggered by India´s fast-growing passenger traffic, aircraft demand and the government´s thrust on promoting manufacturing. The objective of the high-level conferences are to bring together government leaders, airline chiefs, airport operators and regulators, air navigation service providers, MRO players and manufacturers for active discourse to address a wide range of pertinent challenges facing the aviation industry. The conference also aims to help the stakeholders to gain practical insights and discuss the challenges during interactive sessions, panel discussions and round-table debates among policymakers, key government officials and industry experts.
Speakers at the previous editions included Ajit Singh, the then Civil Aviation Minister; Praful Patel, also Civil Aviation Minister; and Ashok Lavasa, then Secretary, Civil Aviation; among other distinguished officials.
Key Highlights