My colleagues in the Union Cabinet, Ram Mohan Naidu Ji, Murlidhar Mohol Ji, Honorable Ministers from across the world, leaders of the global aviation industry, representatives of international organizations, Distinguished Delegates, ladies and gentlemen!
Greetings!
On this platform of Wings India, I welcome all industry leaders, experts, and investors. As you all know, the next era of the aviation industry is filled with many aspirations. And India is becoming a major player in this. Aircraft Manufacturing, Pilot Training, Advanced Air Mobility, Aircraft Leasing - these are sectors with which India stands before you with numerous possibilities. And therefore, this summit of Wings India has become so significant for all of us.
Friends,
In the last decade, a historic transformation has taken place in India's entire aviation sector. There was a time when India was among those countries where air travel was limited to an exclusive club. But today, the situation has completely changed. Today, India is the world's third-largest domestic aviation market. Our passenger traffic has increased very rapidly. The fleet of Indian airlines is also expanding fast. In recent years, India's airlines have placed orders for more than 1500 airplanes.
Friends,
This momentum in India's aviation sector came because our government is working with a long-term vision. Air travel in India is now becoming inclusive, not exclusive. It is our mission that the citizen of India can travel by air easily. Therefore, we have connected Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities with airports. In the year 2014, there were 70 airports in India. Today, the number of airports in India has increased to more than 160. That is, in just one decade, more than double the airports have been built in India. We have activated more than a hundred air domes in the country. And along with this, we have launched the UDAN scheme with affordable fares for our citizens. Due to the UDAN scheme, 15 million passengers - that is, about one and a half crore passengers - have traveled on those routes, many of which did not even exist before.
Friends,
Today, when India is moving forward with the goal of becoming developed, it is certain that our air activity will expand many times over. It is estimated that by 2047, there will be more than four hundred airports in India; this will be a very large network. Not only this, our government is also working on the next phase of the UDAN scheme. With this policy, regional and affordable air connectivity will be further strengthened. Along with all this, seaplane operations are also being expanded. Our effort is simply that air connectivity improves further in every corner of India.
Friends,
Today, the Government of India is also laying great emphasis on the development of the tourism sector here. Tourist places are being developed across the country, and for going to these places, air travel is the first choice for a large number of people. In the coming time, there is going to be an unprecedented expansion in the demand for air travel. That is, more investment opportunities will be created for all of you.
Friends,
Today, when India is becoming a major global aviation hub, it is also necessary that we do not remain dependent on others for aviation-related needs. We must strengthen the path of self-reliance. This will also be helpful for the companies coming to invest in India. With this thought, India is laying great emphasis on aircraft design, aircraft manufacturing, and the aircraft MRO ecosystem. Even today, India is a major manufacturer and supplier of aircraft parts. We are starting to make military and transport aircraft in the country. India is also moving in the direction of civil aircraft manufacturing, and as all you investors know, India has many advantages as well. India's geographic position in global air corridors, our unmatched domestic feeder network, and the expansion of long-haul fleets in the future - this is our very big strength.
Friends,
That day is not far when electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed and manufactured in India will give a new direction to the entire aviation sector. This technology can greatly reduce our travel time. Besides this, we are also doing great work on sustainable aviation fuel. In the next few years, India is moving towards becoming a major producer and exporter of green aviation fuel.
Friends,
We are also making many reforms in the country's aviation sector. And because of every such effort, India is becoming a major aviation gateway between the Global South and the world. This is a very big opportunity for investors and manufacturers associated with the aviation sector.
Friends,
Today, India is connecting the different regions of the country as well as the markets there with each other. Our cities are being connected to ports through different modes of transport. India's aviation vision is equally focused on air cargo. To make cargo movement fast and efficient, the government is working on all necessary regulatory reforms. Along with this, our digital cargo platforms are making the entire process simple and transparent. Due to the arrangement of off-airport processing, the load on our airports is also decreasing. We are also building such modern warehouses so that the work of cargo handling happens even faster and better. In the coming future, this will reduce both the delivery time and logistics cost of cargo. In the future, India will emerge as a large and competitive transshipment hub.
Friends,
I would say to all investors that you must explore opportunities in India's warehousing sector, in freight forwarding, in express logistics, and in e-commerce - in all these sectors.
Friends,
Today, there are only a few countries in the world where there is such a large scale, such policy stability, and such technological ambition for the aviation industry. I would say to every country in the world, every industry leader, every innovator, that they should take full advantage of this golden opportunity. Become a long-term partner in this development journey of ours and work for the growth of the world's aviation sector. I invite investors from across the world to come with us as co-pilots of India's flight. Once again, my many best wishes to all of you for the successful organization of Wings India.
Thank you very much!
