India handles only 5% of global air cargo, presenting a growth opportunity, especially with India’s fast-growing economy: S C Karol, Director, DPIIT

The International Conference on Air Mobility, held at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, concluded on 22 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s aviation and air mobility sector. The two-day event, part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, focused on “Aerial Evolution: Shaping Tomorrow's Urban Air Mobility” and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore the future of urban air mobility (UAM) and its role in sustainable cities and economic growth. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and supported by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the conference highlighted India’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge air mobility technologies.

Mr. SC Karol, Director of DPIIT, highlighted sector challenges, particularly infrastructure gaps hindering India’s full potential. He noted that India handles only 5% of global air cargo, presenting a growth opportunity, especially with India’s fast-growing economy. Karol emphasized the government’s initiatives, including "Make in India" and PM Gati Shakti, which focus on integrated infrastructure planning across airports, railways, and roads. He also mentioned DPIIT’s work on improving air cargo efficiency and reducing logistics costs.

Mr. Kallapa Pattada, Executive Director at Boeing India Engineering and Technology, discussed challenges in airport management, air traffic control, and UTM systems as civil aviation and the drone market grow. He stressed the need for robust infrastructure to address these challenges.

Mr. Moosa T F, Executive Director of Airspace Management at the Airports Authority of India, discussed the growing need for Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) systems as urban areas face congestion. He explained that technologies, like radar systems, GPS, and specialized software, are essential for safe and efficient airspace management.

Addressing the panel, Mr. C K Govil, President of the Air Cargo Agents Association of India, emphasized the importance of initiatives like “Make in India” and “Make in India for the World” in promoting local manufacturing. He expressed concern about high freight rates and their impact on India’s product competitiveness, calling for increased cargo capacity and more reasonable pricing.

Summing up key takeaways, Mr. Amit Dutta, Chairman of the CII Task Force on Short Haul Air Mobility & Managing Director, Hunch Mobility, noted the wide-ranging discussions on regulatory frameworks, infrastructure challenges, and solutions positioning India to lead in the UAM ecosystem. He highlighted the growth of India’s drone sector, with over 22,000 registered drones and the success of the PLI scheme, which saw an impressive increase in turnover.

He emphasized that Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aligns with the Prime Minister’s 7Cs vision, fostering sustainability, connectivity, and innovation, while reshaping mobility and enhancing India’s global position.

MoCA and DGCA’s creation of six working groups reflected India’s proactive approach, he said. Ensuring passenger safety and data protection in the AAM ecosystem was emphasized. India’s potential as a global AAM manufacturing hub was highlighted, with a focus on sustainable technologies, resilient supply chains, and OEM collaborations, he added.

Leveraging AI, automation, and immersive tools for skilling and R&D was identified as a key driver for progress during the conference. Synergies between civil and defense aviation were seen as a way to enhance resource utilization and boost domestic manufacturing. The development of a robust hardware, software, and digital component ecosystem was deemed crucial. India’s strategic location and growing e-commerce demand positioned it as a key air cargo hub, with multi-modal connectivity and digitalized operations highlighted as enablers. The event also saw discussions on cybersecurity, OEM collaborations, and India’s role in AAM manufacturing.

The conference concluded with a commitment from industry leaders and policymakers to accelerate India’s urban air mobility journey, positioning India as a global leader in the sector, revolutionizing air transport and driving economic growth.

The event included live demos of AAM technologies from BluJ Aerospace, SeaHorse Air, and Magicmyna Private Limited. 

22 January 2025

Greater Noida