pranab mukherjee

Hyderabad: India is planning to invest over $120 billion in the development of airport infrastructure and aviation navigation services over the next decade, said President Pranab Mukherjee today.

Inaugurating India Aviation 2016, he said the civil aviation sector is poised for a faster and sustainable growth with the development of 100 smart cities; new economic corridors; more than 50 new airports and expansion of existing airports.

"The deeper air penetration to smaller cities; better connectivity to northeastern part of India; higher disposable incomes of the middle class of India is expected to further propel the growth of Indian civil aviation industry," he said.

Mukherjee noted that India registered a growth of 14 percent in civil aviation sector during the last decade. With foreign direct investment (FDI) in air transport during the last 15 years touched the mark of $570 million, he said India continues to be a favourite destination for foreign investors in civil aviation sector.

The government has allowed FDI through the automatic route to the tune of 100 percent in green field airports; helicopter services and seaplanes; maintenance and repair organizations and flying training institutes. He also pointed out that 49 percent FDI is allowed through the automatic route for domestic scheduled passenger airlines and ground handling services.

"The open sky policy; greater focus on infrastructure development; liberal FDI norms; robust technical and engineering capabilities; assured supply of skilled workforce in information technology and communication network has opened the doors to global players. This will make India a manufacturing hub of aerospace industry," he said.

Mukherjee said as India is at the threshold of taking a major leap in the aviation sector, this event is well timed and resonates well with the latest policy initiatives of 'Make in India', 'Stand up India' and 'Start up India'. He called upon the global giants to seize this opportunity and take lead to forge long-term partnerships.

He also noted Indian civil aviation market is growing at a rapid pace and now ranks ninth in the world. It is estimated that by 2020, India would be the third largest civil aviation market. With a network of domestic and 85 international airlines connecting 40 countries, Indian airports handled passenger traffic of 190 million persons in 2015.

"Yet India is one of the least penetrated air markets in the world with 0.04 trips per capita per annum as compared to 0.3 percent of China and more than 2 in the USA," he said.

The five-day biennial event, the biggest conference and exhibition on civil aviation in the country, is being attended by delegates from 25 countries. More than 200 companies are participating in the event being held at Begumpet Airport.

As many as 29 aircraft are on static display. Canada and US are the partner countries for the event which has the theme "Indian civil aviation sector: Potential as global manufacturing and MRO hub".

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said the aviation said for last one-and-half year the sector has registered good growth, attracting attention of all.

Civil Aviation Secretary R. N. Chowbey said the civil sector was growing at 20 percent per annum. "The growth in domestic flying is 25 percent per annum which is unparalleled and which is not happening anywhere in the world,a he said.

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao were also present.

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