• India has the largest number of unicorns and Start-Ups & aviation sector is surging ahead: Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd)

New Delhi. 19 November 2021. Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India yesterday said that Wings India 2022 represents a huge opportunity for India and its neighbouring countries, and the sector will be churning out millions of jobs for those looking to enter the industry.

Addressing the curtain-raiser for WINGS INDIA 2022 with the theme India @75 New Horizon for Aviation Industry organized by FICCI jointly with Airport Authority of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Scindia said that WINGS India 2022 will provide an opportunity to build strong roots of the ecosystem that the civil aviation industry represents.

He further said that the civil aviation industry is not only about airplanes and airports, but we must focus on building an airline ecosystem that has strong roots across the value chain. Manufacturing, he said is the core of the sector and the country must move from products to services. “Both product and service will result in economic and employment multipliers. Every direct job generated by civil aviation industry results in 6.1% indirect employment opportunities. This potential cannot be replicated by any other sector,” added the Minister.

Speaking on the govt initiatives he said that the Ministry wants to work as a collaborator along with all the stakeholders. “Our success lies with the success of our stakeholders. We have doubled the number of airports in India since the last 7 years and the horizontal expansion will result in vertical depth,” noted Mr Scindia.

Emphasizing the govt policies he said, the new helicopter policy, MRO policy, flying training organisation policy are focused on the spur of growth in the country. He urged the industry to join the Wings India 2022 to be part of the expanding horizon of the Indian aviation sector, which can be the key driver towards economic growth.

Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd), MoS for Civil Aviation and Road Transport and Highways, GoI said that India has the largest number of unicorns and Start-Ups and the aviation sector is surging ahead depending on the COVID control measures.

“There is a huge opportunity for each one connected to the aviation industry. One can manufacture, sell, lease and create to become partners in infrastructure with us,” said Gen VK Singh.

He urged the industry to suggest measures to improvise the industry for a mutually beneficial journey ahead.

“State and Union Territories have a very important role to play in the sector and we need to ensure harmony between states to reap the benefits,” the Minister further added.

“We need to bring down the VAT on aviation turbine fuel,” said General Singh. The revenue generated by bringing it down will be tremendous” he said. States, said General (Dr) VK Singh, must bring down the price of VAT and ensure more flights come in.

Rajiv Bansal, Secretary (CA), Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Indian domestic Civil Aviation sector is almost back to pre-COVID numbers, and it will keep growing. There is huge growth in the Drones sector and the PIL scheme for manufacturing and start-up in the sector of Drone will witness tremendous growth in the sector.

Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation said, “This is a unique platform for civil aviation in India, we intend to ensure that all our stakeholders come under a single umbrella, showcase the achievements of the sector, and share the good practices with equal contribution from all.” She further said the civil aviation sector is becoming a development engine for the nation.

Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India said that mobility is one of the most important catalysts for growth and mobility through the sky is the game-changer. Air mobility, he said, is the game-changer in the history of civil aviation and has the potential to change the economies of nations.

Remi Maillard, Chair, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD, Airbus Group said that India will be among the market-leading global aviation. He highlighted the growth of the global air traffic by 3.9% including tourism in the coming years. He invited stakeholders from India and across the globe to be part of Wings India 2022.

The promo video of the Wings India 2020-2022 was also launched during the event.