India’s aviation and air cargo sector demonstrated its global ambitions and collaborative energy at the 11th PHDCCI Global Aviation & Air Cargo Conclave, held at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre. The event, themed “Gateway to the Skies: Elevating India’s Aviation, Air Cargo & MRO Ecosystem for Global Leadership,” brought together government leaders, international technology partners, and key industry stakeholders to align and accelerate aviation growth.
Mr. Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation, highlighted several flagship government schemes and policy reforms are driving India’s aviation and air cargo sectors toward dynamic growth. The PM Gatishakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy 2022 are strengthening multimodal connectivity and enabling a unified marketplace. The I-CLASS initiative, targeting 79 airports by 2030, is enhancing cargo processing efficiency and reducing turnaround times. Complementing this is the One Airport – One Product scheme that promotes regional exports and empowers local economies, integrating tailored supply chains for perishable and high-value goods.
India’s cargo sector has surged 47% over the past decade, ranking 6th globally, with ambitious targets to handle 10 million metric tonnes by 2030 and 21 million by 2047. Bolstered by expanding e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables exports, India’s logistics ecosystem is rapidly modernizing. Technology-driven innovations such as drones are prepared to revolutionize last-mile delivery, with the drone industry projected to grow nearly 100-fold by 2030. India is also positioning itself as the Asia-Pacific Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub via progressive reforms – including 100% FDI under the automatic route, uniform 5% GST on aircraft components, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam aviation law, aiming to establish a competitive global ecosystem for MRO, aircraft leasing, and aviation finance.
Mr. Sven Klawunder, Ambassador of GATE Germany, praised India as the “fastest-growing airport market globally.” He stressed the importance of technological collaboration and innovation, “At the German pavilion, we don’t just present products but holistic solutions. India’s digital transformation in aviation, from biometrics to predictive maintenance, is inspiring. Together, we can elevate passenger flow and cargo efficiency for a sustainable future.” He applauded Indian-German partnerships and emphasized tackling industry challenges collaboratively.
Mr. Sanyal Desai, CEO of Radecal Communications, expressed appreciation for the Government of India’s investment in world-class exhibition infrastructure like Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam, calling these “game-changers that place India on the international map for expos.” He announced the conclave’s transition into an annual event to maintain momentum and deepen industry engagement. Mr. Desai underscored the vital role of government-industry collaboration in shaping a future-ready, competitive aviation ecosystem.
Mr. Sanjiv Edward, Chair, PHDCCI Civil Aviation Committee, articulated a vision of momentum and confidence: “India is moving rapidly from vision to velocity, positioning itself as a global aviation leader through transformative policies and technological innovation. Our airports are evolving into intelligent ecosystems, reshaping passenger experience and cargo operations alike. The aviation leasing and financing sector, powered by IFSC Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, offers new frontiers for growth, while sustainability and digitalization underpin our journey ahead.”
Dr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI, emphasized the scale and dynamism of India’s civil aviation rise: “In just a decade, India has become the world’s third-largest air transfer market, with over 230 million domestic passengers in 2024- doubling the numbers from 2014. This transformation is driven by flexible and adaptive policy frameworks, robust infrastructure, and coordinated industry efforts. Our missions include scaling up aviation leasing, harnessing AI, IoT, and 5G for operational excellence, and fostering sustainability, skills development, and innovation in aviation-tech startups.” He highlighted the conclave as a pivotal platform to forge strategic partnerships.
The 11th PHDCCI Global Aviation & Air Cargo Conclave showcased India’s unmatched potential and momentum in aviation and logistics, driven by strategic government initiatives, technological innovation, and global partnerships. With a growing network of airports, expanding cargo capacities, cutting-edge digitalization, and a youthful, skilled workforce, India is uniquely positioned to lead the global aviation sector. The conclave reinforced the collective commitment of policymakers, industry leaders, and international collaborators to accelerate growth with speed, sustainability, and inclusive development, propelling India to the forefront as a global aviation and logistics powerhouse.
