- Welcomes IATA After 42 Years & Spotlights Nation’s Aviation Surge
- Charts Bold Aviation Future
- Growth, Green Goals and Global Vision highlighted
- Hails India as Global Aviation Capital at IATA Meet
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 02 June 2025 . India took centre stage in the global aviation narrative as it hosted the 81st Annual General Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Air Transport Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, returning to India after a 42-year hiatus, brought together over 1,600 delegates from across the world, reaffirming India’s stature as a critical player in global aviation.
In his keynote address, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu welcomed the world’s aviation leadership, calling India “the global aviation capital” and positioning the country as a strategic bridge for the world economy. “It is my immense privilege to welcome you all to the 81st AGM of IATA, right here in India — the global aviation capital. This event is happening at the right place, at the right time, and in the presence of the right leader, our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji,” he said, lauding the PM’s role in transforming the country’s aviation landscape.
Naidu contextualized India’s role in the global economy, noting the country’s steady rise in influence. “India today stands as the world’s fourth largest economy with a GDP exceeding $4 trillion. I am confident that we will ascend to the third largest global economy within the next three years,” he declared, while emphasising aviation’s central role in that journey. “With strategic geography, abundant resources, and skilled manpower, India is naturally positioned as a connector of skies — and aviation lies at the heart of this progress.”
India’s rapid expansion of airport infrastructure was a key highlight. “In 2014, we had 74 airports. Today, we operate 162 airports, including 33 international ones. That’s a pace of eight new airports annually. We are committed to building 50 more in the next five years, with a vision of 350 airports by 2047 under our Viksit Bharat plan,” the Minister informed delegates. This infrastructure boom is being matched by traffic growth. Naidu reported that “our domestic air traffic has grown by 130%, and international traffic has jumped from 55 to 72 million. In April 2025 alone, domestic air traffic grew by 10%, outpacing the global average of 8%.”
The government’s flagship regional connectivity scheme has played a pivotal role. “UDAN, envisioned by Prime Minister Modi in 2016, has made flying accessible and affordable. We’ve operationalised 619 routes, enabling 1.5 crore people to fly to unserved and underserved destinations. UDAN 2.0 will connect 120 more destinations, serving 4 crore passengers annually,” Naidu said, calling it a transformative initiative that bridges geographies and socio-economic divides.
India is also emerging as a vital node in global supply chains. “By 2047, we aim to handle 21 million metric tonnes of cargo, solidifying India’s place as a logistics powerhouse. From electronics to perishables, India is becoming a key export hub,” said Naidu. On Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, the Minister outlined India’s vision to become a global destination. “With projected growth of 8.9% annually, we aim to reach a $4 billion MRO market by 2031. We’ve allowed 100% FDI in MRO and simplified land allotments within airports. The next decade can see us become a $10 billion aviation manufacturing market.”
Fleet growth has also been significant. “Indian airlines have placed orders for 2,200 aircraft. With 80% of the fleet on lease, our reforms, including the Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Act 2025, align us with the Cape Town Convention and have lowered leasing costs by up to 10%,” he shared. Inclusivity remains a defining feature of India’s aviation model. “Today, 15% of Indian pilots are women, compared to the global average of just 5%. We’ve issued advisories to increase this to 25% in coming years. Aviation must connect, but also empower,” Naidu affirmed.
Sustainability was a stress in Naidu’s address, firmly rooted in India’s cultural ethos. “As our scriptures say—Mata Bhoomi Putroham Prithivyaha—the earth is our mother. Over 80 Indian airports now run on 100% green energy, and we’re targeting 100 by year-end. We’ve set SAF blending targets of 1% by 2027, 5% by 2030. India has the biomass to lead the global SAF movement,” he said.
Naidu took the opportunity to thank global aviation stakeholders and acknowledge the role of IndiGo Airlines in co-hosting the IATA AGM. “I congratulate IATA on 81 years of leadership representing over 350 airlines and 80% of global traffic. I also thank IndiGo, which operates the world’s youngest fleet, for hosting IATA in India after 42 years.”
He extended a warm invitation to the aviation world: “We invite you all to Wings India 2026, Asia’s premier civil aviation event in Hyderabad from January 28–31, 2026, where we will continue shaping the future of aviation—from design to deployment, manufacturing to maintenance, and sustainability to inclusivity.” In closing, Naidu underscored the leadership that has powered this transformation. “Most importantly, I thank Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for gracing this platform with his presence. His vision lights the runway for India’s aviation growth.”
At the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, India reclaimed the global aviation spotlight as Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu unveiled a bold and ambitious vision for the country’s aviation future. Welcoming IATA back to India after 42 years, Naidu positioned the nation as a rising global aviation capital, spotlighting its rapid infrastructure growth, green energy goals, and record-breaking expansion in connectivity. From charting India’s trajectory as a logistics and MRO powerhouse to celebrating its inclusive, innovation-driven ecosystem, Naidu’s address marked the roar of India’s aviation engine on the world stage.
