Tag Archives: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)

The Government plans to take up 50 airport development projects, including new airports, in the next 5 years to boost the country’s aviation ecosystem. Currently, there are 159 operational airports in the country and the number has doubled compared from 74 in 2014.  “Civil aviation industry plays pivotal role in unlocking India’s economic potential,” said Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), GoI.

KR Naidu, MoCA, GoI, said, “India’s aviation sector will grow as the government intends to add 50 new airports in next five years. Currently, India has 159 operational airports, and by 2030, government plans to have 209 airports. “The government aims to drive India’s aviation sector to new heights,” he added.

KR Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister, Govt of India, after passing of Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024 in Rajya Sabha, said, “To strengthen airfare regulations, the govt has introduced new airfare regulations, requiring airlines to notify the DGCA about their ticket prices a month before implementation. The measures aim to curb pricing irregularities and promote affordability in air travel.”

Women in Aviation India (WAI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation held its 3rd edition of the iconic Awards- Giving Wings to Dreams 2024 at Roseate in New Delhi, felicitating 37 women achievers who have contributed significantly to the aviation sector. The awards recognise excellence in diverse fields of aviation and help build a value chain where achievers inspire the next generation. Highlighting India’s aviation infrastructure which has expanded exponentially, with the number of airports more than doubling from 74 to 157 over the past decade, passenger numbers surging from 11 crore to 22 crore annually, and the aircraft fleet growing from 400 to 800, with projections to reach 1,400 within five years, Vumlunmang Vualnam, Secretary, Civil Aviation, said, “There is an immense opportunity for women in the aviation sector and to become part of this growth story.” He underscored the government’s dedication to integrating women into the expanding drone industry, linking this initiative to the broader transformation underway in India’s aviation sector.

The number of operational airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, said the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with plans to expand this number to 350-400 by 2047. Meanwhile, the domestic air passengers have more than doubled, making India the third-largest domestic aviation market. The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) launched in 2016 has significantly contributed to this growth.

Sharing details in the recent Rajya Sabha session, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said India has executed Bilateral Air Services Agreements (ASAs) with a total of 116 foreign countries. The agreements facilitate the operation of international flights between India and these nations, aiming to boost global connectivity and support economic and tourism growth.

Murlidhar Mohol, MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), informed that as per DGCA, currently, 56 Boeing 737 Max aircraft are registered and operating in India without engine failures. DGCA ensures aviation safety through rigorous audits. It publishes its Annual Surveillance Plan on its website providing details of the planned surveillance for the year.

After the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) approached the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for the inclusion of several tourism routes for providing better air connectivity to pivotal tourist places, 53 tourism routes were operationalised by MoCA under the RCS-UDAN. Additionally, 48 helicopter routes are connecting hilly regions of the nation.

Speaking during the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Round Table Discussion, Subhash Goyal, Chairman, ICC Tourism Committee, said, “As Tier I cities are already well connected through aviation, India needs to promote other domestic hubs like spiritual circuits, wildlife parks, islands, and the locations that are famous for Medical Tourism, which is a 5 trillion-dollar industry. Hence, the Aviation Ministry needs to develop these routes for better connectivity and access as it can boost the inbound numbers in India.”

Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI, has said that they are having constant conversations with Pradeep Kharola, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), discussing the issues of the industry and TAAI members. She also revealed that there is a need to make the travel agent business healthier and regular interaction with airlines to start restructuring the processes. “The Secretary (MoCA) has said he would get a meeting done very soon with international airlines and TAAI. That’s what we are waiting for,” she revealed.