Civil Aviation Minister inaugurates curtain raiser event about Wings India, 2022

 

Scindia said that Indian Civil Aviation industry has witnessed robust growth over years, and contributes significantly to economic development of India. India's civil aviation industry is the pride of the nation as it is playing a key role in connecting Indians to the remotest corners of the country and to the world. It is bringing people from across the world to discover the huge business and tourism opportunities in India, he added.

 

 

The industry has grown by leaps and bounds and has become the 3rd largest domestic aviation market in the world. India today handles the 3rd largest domestic traffic after USA and China. He said that with a steady increase in passenger volume, Indian airlines are charting new territories. He said, “We all know that in this densely globalized economy, air transport is a key element in the country’s transport infrastructure and plays an important role in the Country’s economic growth.”

 

 

The Minister said that across all the sectors, one cannot undermine the fact that the support of Aviation industry in combating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic was great, by carrying enzymes, PPE kits, masks, medicines, and cargoes which states and union territories required. He said that the overall freight handled by the country’s airports during the first two quarters of FY-22 has recovered to more than 80% of pre-pandemic level, despite India being hit by a second wave in first quarter.

The Minister said that Civil Aviation is emerging as one of the major pillars providing fillip to economic growth. To bring benefits of the Civil Aviation to common people and provide affordable air connectivity, Government of India had announced Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) – UDAN (UdeDesh Ka Aam Nagrik) on 21st October 2016. As on date, 387 routes connecting 62 Airports including 6 Heliports and 2 Water Aerodromes have been made operational under RCS-UDAN Scheme.