The 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation hosted delegates from 29 countries, ministers and policymakers, and 8 international organisations, including ICAO, which celebrated its 80 years of operations as part of the conference. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), successfully hosted the conference at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi over two days on 11 and 12 September 2024.
This high-level gathering brought together ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities, and key stakeholders to address the current challenges and unlock more opportunities for the civil aviation sector in the Asia Pacific region.
The conference witnessed engaging discussions and presentations focused on shaping the future of aviation in the Asia-Pacific region. A significant milestone of the conference was the formal adoption of the Delhi Declaration, a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering sustainable growth within the civil aviation sector.
Prime Minister shared the technological and infrastructural advancements made by India in the sector with the top civil aviation leaders of the Asia-Pacific region.
The conference brought together ministers, heads of civil aviation authorities, and key stakeholders to address the current challenges and unlock more opportunities for the civil aviation sector in the Asia Pacific region
Prime Minister emphasised making the sector more inclusive for women; he said, “In India, 15 per cent of the pilots are women, which is more than the global average of 5 per cent and we have issued an advisory to further increase this number.”
Prime Minister also spoke about the transformation in the aviation sector in India in the last ten years and said from being aviation-exclusive, India has become aviation-inclusive.
In his address, the Prime Minister spoke about the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme for improving air connectivity to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. He credited the scheme for making aviation “inclusive” in the country and pitched for creating a “network of opportunities” through aviation in the region and suggested the idea of an international Buddhist circuit. “The day is not far when travel by air taxi will be a reality in India,” Mr Modi said, referring to the boost in the civil aviation sector in the country.
“India is today a strong pillar of the global civil aviation ecosystem. The growth of the civil aviation sector in India is unprecedented.” Modi said, adding that a growing number of lower middle class and middle-class Indians even from smaller cities and towns are now travelling by air, something that earlier used to be limited to well-heeled Indians mostly from big cities.
A significant milestone of the conference was the formal adoption of the Delhi Declaration, a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering sustainable growth within the civil aviation sector
Highlighting the crucial role of the civil aviation sector, he said the focus is on connecting people, culture, and prosperity through the sector. Prime Minister said that if we could connect all the holy places related to Lord Buddha across Asia and create an ‘International Buddhist Circuit’, it would benefit the civil aviation sector, the travellers, related countries, and their economies as well.
“India is moving ahead with an aim to become a leading aviation hub by the end of the decade where the MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) industry alone would be worth $4 billion. For this, we have made MRO policies…With enhanced air connectivity in tier two and three cities, many cities will become new centres of growth in India,” the Prime Minister said as he touched upon the economic potential of the civil aviation sector, particularly with regard to further developing the country’s aviation ecosystem and creating high-skill job opportunities.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, in his welcome address, stated, “Under PM Modi’s visionary leadership, India is set to achieve its goal of having 350-400 airports by 2047, positioning the nation as a key player in global aviation. Today, India not only supports but leads collaborative efforts, as exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. By delivering vaccines across Asia and the Pacific, India reinforced its commitment to ‘One World, One Planet, One Future, One Family.’”
Salvatore Sciacchitano, President of Council of ICAO, in his address said, “Our primary focus is to continue to pursue high levels of safety and security. We must remain focused on enhancing these fundamental aspects of aviation, not allowing ourselves to become complacent when we consider the very positive statistics.”
The Draft Asia Pacific Ministerial Declaration on Civil Aviation (Delhi Declaration) was presented and discussed, followed by its formal adoption after ministerial deliberations. At the conference, which concluded on 12 September, PM Modi also announced the formal adoption of the Delhi Declaration – a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing regional cooperation, addressing emerging challenges, and fostering sustainable growth within the civil aviation sector in the Asia Pacific region.
“The day is not far when travel by air taxi will be a reality in India,” Mr Modi said, referring to the boost achieved by the civil aviation sector in the country
Additionally, a ceremony was organised to commemorate the 80th anniversary of ICAO and the Chicago Convention, further highlighting the organisation’s role in shaping international aviation standards over the past eight decades.
Speaking at the conference organised by industry body FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasised the need to adopt green initiatives and mentioned that several airports in India have already achieved carbon-neutral status.
One of the key goals Naidu outlined was the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into international flights departing from India. He highlighted plans to ensure that 1 percent of SAF is blended with jet fuel for international commercial flights by 2027, with a target to increase that blend to 2 percent by 2028.
This aligns with the global framework set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which mandates that international flights use at least 1 per cent SAF by 2027.
SAF has similar chemistry to jet fuel, but is a clean substitute for fossil jet fuels. Unlike jet fuels which is derived from crude oil, SAF is produced from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and forestry residues. SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel to reduce emissions by up to 80 per cent without requiring modifications to aircraft engines.
One of the key goals Naidu outlined was the introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into international flights departing from India. He highlighted plans to ensure that 1 percent of SAF is blended with jet fuel for international commercial flights by 2027, with a target to increase that blend to 2 percent by 2028
Additionally, the Civil Aviation Ministry has identified 106 airports and airstrips for development to boost regional air connectivity under the UDAN scheme. The scheme, designed to make air travel affordable and accessible, has been a key factor in expanding air travel to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Naidu announced that the scheme will be extended for another 10 years beyond its current end date in 2027.
Earlier this week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued airworthiness criteria for type certification of vertical take-off and landing capable aircraft (VCA). Last week, it had issued specifications for vertiports, a type of airports to be used by VCAs.
–The writer is a political commentator and media consultant, based in New Delhi. He can be contacted on www.asadmirza.in. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
