With domestic and international passenger flights returning back to the pre pandemic levels,
The Indian aviation sector is well positioned for substantial expansion in future. Piyush Srivastava, IES,Senior Economic Adviser, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GoI
The Indian aviation industry has bounced back with full throttle in 2022, with domestic flight operations reaching pre-pandemic levels and international flights totally packed. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is committed to enhancing the cargo capacities at metro airports and transportation of cargo loads from Tier II & III cities. For this, the Government is planning to build 30 new domestic cargo terminals by 2024-2025, along with plans for physical infrastructure for airports, which are essential for cargo handling. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also plans to spend approximately INR 93,000 crores in the next 4 years in setting up new greenfield airports and expansion of existing brownfield airports. This Capex pipeline has been planned in such a way that the country will see rapid infrastructure and connectivity boom. This investment plan is despite the debilitating impact of Covid. It may, however, be mentioned that while the aviation sector as a whole reeled under the Covid induced lockdowns, the air cargo sector came on its own. It not only kept the supply line of commodities, medicines etc. open, it also saved the airlines themselves from closing down. Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation Mr.Scindia has rightly described the emergence of the Cargo Sector from being an ‘underdog’ to being a ‘super dog’.
The cargo industry has truly travelled a long distance to get it’s due recognition.
