New Delhi: India is dreaming big when it comes to the aviation industry. The government now wants to turn India into a global aircraft maintenance hub worth $4 billion by 2030. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared this big plan while speaking at the IATA’s 81st annual general meeting, which was recently held in New Delhi. It was a proud moment because this international event came back to India after 40 years.
India’s aviation sector is growing really fast. At present, over 240 million people travel through domestic and international flights every year. But this number is expected to double to 500 million by 2030.
What’s making this possible? It’s the rapid growth in our infrastructure. Back in 2014, India had only 74 operational airports. Today, that number has more than doubled to 162. This shows how serious the country is about flying forward.
A New Opportunity
One of the biggest parts of this plan is building up our MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities. In 2014, India had just 96 MRO units. Now we have 154. But here’s the problem, most Indian airlines still send their planes abroad for heavy maintenance like engine checks and landing gear repairs. This takes up more money and time.
So, to fix this, the government is making big changes:
Allowing 100% foreign investment (FDI) through the automatic route, lowering the GST on MRO services, making regulations simpler and faster, all of this will make it easier for companies to invest and grow the MRO sector in India.
The UDAN scheme, launched in 2016, is helping people from small towns fly at affordable rates. Thanks to this, more than 1.5 crore passengers have been able to fly on regional routes. It offers cheaper tickets, and the government supports the airlines through subsidies and tax cuts.
This is helping more Indians experience air travel, and honestly, it’s exciting to think that even someone from a small village might take their first flight soon.
India is also getting smarter with digital tech. The Digi Yatra app lets passengers travel paper-free. From entering the airport to boarding the flight, everything can now be done digitally. It’s safe, quick, and a great example of “Digital India” in action.
India is also focusing on green technology and sustainable aviation fuels to make flying eco-friendlier. Our rules are also being updated to match global standards, which makes it easier for foreign companies to do business here.
One of the coolest parts? PM Modi said India should not just Make in India but also Design in India, that means we shouldn’t only manufacture aircraft parts but also create our own designs and tech.
Did you know that India has the highest number of women pilots in the world? Around 15% of Indian pilots are women, while the global average is just about 5%. Also, 86% of cabin crew members are women here. That’s a proud moment for all of us. Drones are also helping women’s self-help groups in fields like farming and delivery services.
India is also making sure that air travel is safe and secure. Recently, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) praised India for improving aviation safety.
And guess what? PM Modi even spoke about space tourism and the future of interplanetary travel. It sounds like science fiction now, but maybe one day, flying to the Moon or Mars might just be like catching a flight to Delhi.
