The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for government and industry to join forces on a series of projects to enhance safety, security and efficiency in India. These would align with IATA’s longstanding calls for improved infrastructure, cost reduction and a relief from excessive taxation.
“I propose a series of projects to enhance the safety, security and efficiency of Indian aviation. The interests of government and industry are aligned. Aviation and aviation-related tourism drives 1.5 per cent of India’s GDP and supports jobs for 1.8 per cent of the workforce. A stronger aviation sector will be a catalyst for even wider economic benefits,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO, IATA in his keynote address at the inaugural India Aviation Day which IATA is jointly organising with the GMR Group and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“This is my third major speech on Indian aviation issues in under a year. I have not spoken this much in or about any other single country in my time at IATA. The reason is two-fold. The first is that India is the great potential market of the future, and the industry here has only just begun to realise its enormous promise. The second is that if we are to realise that future, we must successfully overcome some major issues,” said Tyler.
IATA called for government and industry to work together on safety, security and e-freight. In addition, Tyler urged India to play a key role in moving the debate on managing aviation’s emissions—specifically on market-based-measures—towards a global agreement through ICAO. Tyler praised India for its leadership in the opposition to Europe’s intention to include international aviation in its emissions trading scheme—and extra-territorial and unilateral action.
“Now India should follow-up on the important role it played in steering Europe towards ICAO for a global solution by being a strong leader among the BASIC countries with a genuine effort to make the ICAO process work,” said Tyler.
“The stakes for India in the climate change debate are high. And it is a persistent defender of the Common but Differentiated Responsibility principle which accommodates developed and developing nation needs within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. But there is good reason for ICAO having the responsibility for aviation’s international emissions. ICAO has a successful track record of facilitating global agreements and standards which take into account the needs of developed and developing nations—even on difficult issues such as noise,” said Tyler.
