The Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, recently set out a transformative vision for India’s aerospace and aviation sector. His announcements underscored the Central government’s commitment to building world class infrastructure, nurturing talent and creating an inclusive, globally competitive ecosystem, emphasised an official communique.
Key highlights of the Minister’s vision included:
* Development of 50 new airports within the next 5 years, significantly boosting regional air connectivity.
* Induction of 2,200 new aircraft over the next two decades, meeting soaring domestic and international demand.
* Expansion of the Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) market to USD 4 billion by 2030, reducing forex outflow and positioning India as an aerospace services powerhouse.
* A strong push on skill development and gender equity, ensuring that India’s growing aerospace workforce is future-ready and inclusive.
While long-term targets such as building 350 airports by 2047 have been articulated earlier, these immediate, actionable milestones marked a bold acceleration and were uniquely emphasised.
Complementing the Minister’s announcements, Mr Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, highlighted reforms designed to enhance India’s competitiveness:
* IGST on aircraft parts reduced from 28% to 5%, lowering costs for domestic manufacturers.
* A strong move toward single-window regulatory clearances and a focus on carbon reduction, balancing growth with sustainability.
* A bold goal to place India among the top 3 global players in aerospace manufacturing, MRO, training and engineering.