New Delhi: Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday invited industry players from European Union (EU) to become a part of the fastest-growing aviation market in the world. He was speaking virtually at a two-day EU-India Aviation Summit that began in New Delhi on Thursday. During his virtual address, Scindia said, “India and the European Union (EU) have shared strong historical relations which continue to grow today on the back of robust physical, digital and people-to-people connectivity, aided by the aviation industry”.
Praising the leadership of PM Modi, Scindia said, "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has taken several steps to promote aircraft manufacturing in the country." "We have reformed the regulatory environment to make it as conducive as possible for MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) work--reduced GST rates on MRO services from 18% to 5% and allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment into the sector--new MRO guidelines have also been rolled out for rationalisation of the charges leviable on MRO Service Providers for Ease of Doing Business," the minister said.
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He also urged the EU members to become a part of the fastest-growing aviation market and said, "I would urge industry players from the EU to tap these opportunities, and become a part of the fastest-growing aviation market in the world." The Union Minister invited EU players to partner with India in developing adaptive technologies and support the objective of tackling emissions from the aviation Industry."
“We are encouraging airports to use 100% green energy by 2024 and achieve net zero by 2030. In all, 25 AAI airports are already using 100% green energy. Our target is to make another 121 airports carbon neutral by 2025", Scindia added. Speaking at the summit via virtual mode, Adina Vălean, European Union Commissioner for Transport, said, "From commercial opportunities to aviation safety and security, sustainability, air traffic management, or consumer protection, our shared experiences, as well as our shared objectives, make us natural partners.”
She further said, “We already have a successful history of partnership and cooperation in many areas. I truly hope aviation will become one of our most successful partnerships.” During the summit, a declaration of intent was signed by the Airport Authority of India with Eurocontrol, and a letter of intent Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the DGCA with the European Union Aviation Safety for closer cooperation. The summit focuses on EU-India air transport relations and the mutually shared challenges and opportunities of the two regions, such as the post-Covid recovery of air traffic, increasing sustainability, maintaining safety and the development of unmanned aircraft systems.
