Air India is embarked on an exciting mission to write a new chapter in its history
Airlines have started to expand their network both domestically and internationally post pandemic. India is on the cusp of aviation boom. India, the fastest growing large economy in the world, is expected to play a progressively larger role in global aviation.
And Air India expects to become a major player in world aviation market within the next decade, Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India said during an event to celebrate the 118th birth anniversary of JRD Tata. The event was organized by JRD Tata Memorial Trust in Mumbai.
Present on the occasion were Bharat Malkani, CMD, Max AeroSpace & Aviation; Aloke Sen, CEO, Air India Express; Capt. Cyrus Edekar, ED, Operations Training, Air India; and Capt. Pushpinder Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Air India Express.
Welcoming the audience, Wilson shared the roadmap for Air India saying that Air India is embarked on an exciting mission to write a new chapter in its history. “As India grows wealthier, the demand for air travel by Indian residents increases proportionately. India also becomes a more attractive market for other industries. This will lead to greater travel to, from and within India,” he added.
The proactive government policies and changing global trends invite increased investment in India across industries. This is bound to drive economic growth leading to an increased air travel.
According to Wilson, it is estimated that 30% of the world’s population lives within five hours of India and the rapid development of new Indian airports and the government’s support of developing domestic routes will feed the network that will power further growth.
He highlighted the fact that India is with the abundance of domestic talent, right opportunities, a huge and affluent diaspora, and diversity and quality of tourism, cultural and religious attractions, which are second to none.
He said that right now in aviation there is no location more exciting to be than in India. With the development of airports, airlines and the public sector, India can become an international aviation powerhouse, that can host multiple hubs and can become one of the most connected countries on earth.
The event also saw a technical session chaired by Babu Peter, Trustee, JRD Tata Memorial Trust, featuring speakers: D. Anand Bhaskar, CEO and MD, Air Works (Engineering); Capt. Dhruv Rebapragada, Regional Director Safety – (Airbus) India-South Asia; Capt. Mihir Bhagvati, President & Chief Flight Instructor, Bombay Flying Club; and P Balasubramanian, CEO, AirCargo Consultancy International Services.
During the session, Bhaskar drew light on the current achievements of the aviation industry and discussed the future course of action. He said that India is expected to have a GDP growth of 8%-8.5 % and set to become a US$5 trillion economy by 2025-26. Most importantly, India is set to become 3rd largest economy by 2030. India’s domestic air passenger market is expected to double from pre-pandemic level by 2030.
Indian passengers will, on average, travel 4 times more by air by 2036 compared to today. India’s civil aviation industry will require nearly 100,000 new pilots, technicians, and cabin crew personnel. The forecast suggests that India will need 2400 new single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years.
Bhaskar said, “Today, we are talking about US$350 billion investment coming into the country, US$135 billion worth of airport infrastructure, we have more than 2.6 million square nautical miles of airspace. Everything is positive for us to take off in the right direction.”
Talking about the limitation that is holding the industry back, he said that ‘Mind is not the problem, Mindset is’. It’s time we push ourselves and find our ways to bring optimum growth to the aviation industry, Bhaskar said.
