India aims to be global aviation hub by 2020: Official

Hyderabad, Mar 15: India plans to be a global aviation hub and one of top three aviation markets worldwide by 2020 as the passenger traffic at airports here is expected to increase to 450 million by then from 159.3 million in 2012-2013, a senior Aviation ministry official said today.

"The aviation sector is likely to see investments totalling USD 12.1 billion during 12th Five Year Plan, out of which USD 9.3 billion is expected to come from the private sector. 200 low-cost airports are planned to be built in the next 20 years to connect tier-II and tire-III cities.

"USD 1.3 billion is planned to be spent on non-metro projects during 2013-17, mainly focusing on the modernisation and upgradation of airports," Anil Srivastava, Joint Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation, said in a statement.

Speaking on the highlights of the 5th Edition of India Aviation starting from tomorrow here at Begumpet Airport, Srivasatava said more than 200 major participants are expected to take part in the show.

Some of the leading manufacturers of aircraft, helicopter like Boeing, Airbus, Textron, Embraer, Gulfstream, Dassault, Agusta Westland, Bell Helicopters, Russian Helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will also take part in the show.

Ambassadors from at least seven countries are expected to participate in the five-day biennial event, organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

President Pranab Mukherjee will formally inaugurate the event which will be attended by E S Lakshmi Narsimhan, Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; K Chandrashekar Rao, Chief Minister of Telangana; N Chandra Babu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, Union Minister of Civil Aviation.

About 29 aircraft, ranging from small business jets to big aircraft, will be on display during the show. A one-day conference on "Indian Civil Aviation Sector: Potential as Global Manufacturing Hub" will be held on March 17 at the venue.

The conference, to be addressed by eminent speakers, policy makers and experts, will focus on the policy issues and business aspects.

"India Aviation 2016" is supported by Air India, Airports Authority of India, Director General Civil Aviation, Pawan Hans, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Fornborough International, SP Guide Publications, Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries and Business Aircraft Operators Association.

PTI