Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Opens 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation.
New Delhi:
Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, inaugurated the 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation (APMC) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event brought together delegates from 29 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, including Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Salvatore Sciacchitano, and Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Vumlunmang Vualnam.
In his address, Naidu expressed gratitude to ICAO for its ongoing support and congratulated the organization on its 80th anniversary, acknowledging its role in advancing global aviation standards and safety. He highlighted the conference’s significance in shaping a more connected and resilient aviation landscape for the region.
Naidu was elected Chairman of the APMC, with Viliame Rogoibuli Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation of Fiji, selected as Vice Chairman. Naidu emphasized the Asia-Pacific region’s rapid growth in aviation, projecting it to become the largest market globally by 2035 with over 3.5 billion annual passengers. He called for strategic investments in infrastructure and regional collaboration to ensure sustainable development.
He also outlined India’s advancements in aviation, noting the expansion of airport infrastructure from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, with future plans to reach 350-400 by 2047. The domestic air passenger numbers have more than doubled in the past decade, and the UDAN scheme has created 583 new regional routes, making air travel more accessible.
Naidu stressed the importance of modern technologies and innovation, citing the integration of Digi Yatra for seamless travel and advancements in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. He highlighted the Drone Didi Yojna, which aims to train 15,000 women in drone operation, and emphasized India’s efforts to foster a robust drone ecosystem and promote gender equality in aviation.
The Minister also reiterated India’s commitment to safe and secure air travel, advocating for greater regional collaboration on navigation systems and safety standards. He called for increased adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and energy-efficient infrastructure, with India leading efforts to blend SAF with jet fuel for international flights and achieve carbon-neutral airports in key cities.
Naidu concluded by urging collaborative efforts to build a skilled aviation workforce and integrate advanced air mobility technologies, expressing optimism for the Delhi Declaration, which will guide the future of aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol praised the conference as a pivotal event for regional cooperation in aviation, while Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam highlighted the conference’s role in addressing key issues and opportunities for growth. ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano, marking the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention, called for collaborative efforts to overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth in the aviation sector.
