ACI Asia-Pacific Attends Wings India 2022, a Testament to India’s Vibrant Air Transport Market

ACI Asia-Pacific was invited to participate in Wings India 2022, jointly organized by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)– Following its successful run in 2020, the event returned as Wings 2022, Asia's largest event on civil aviation, covering the commercial, general and business aviation segments. 

The event took place from 24 to 27 March at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, India, and inlcuded an airshow, exhibition, and a global aviation summit comprising six thematic panel discussions. Topics covered include aviation financing and leasing, air cargo, drones, the airlines and airport perspectives as well as aircraft manufacturing and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul).

ACI Asia-Pacific’s Senior Expert, Economics & ESG, Mr. Ilia Lioutov, participated in the panel on the airport perspective with respect to the future of travel. As the impact of COVID-19 has forced airports to accelerate the use of digitalization in passenger journey, they have successfully reduced critical touchpoints to improve confidence, while keeping passengers engaged. The adoption of various technologies is expected to enhance passenger experience and help airports to diversify, improve and expand the range of non-aeronautical revenue generating activities. 

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Several experts in the airport business including CEOs of major Indian airports sat together and discussed the current level of technology adoption at different airports and future trends. Their discussions also touched upon the issues of sustainability and passenger experience, testifying to the challenges of pursuing multiple goals and tackling several issues in a concurrent manner. The panel acknowledged a positive growth outlook and praised the Government of India for pursuing privatization indispensable to the development of airport infrastructure and greenfield airports.

As for greenfield airports, India is one of the leaders in developing new airports to accommodate future air travel demand. The Narendra Modi government approved the construction of 21 greenfield airports across the country, as confirmed by President Ram Nath Kovind in January 2022. These airports include Mopa International Airport in Goa, Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport, among others. 

The total passenger traffic in India is expected to reach 485 million by 2025, over 750 million by 2030 and close to 1.3 billion passengers by 2040. Such ambitious growth plans require commensurate infrastructure development accompanied with conducive government policies as well as favorable investment climate in order to mobilize domestic and international companies and funds. ACI praises the Government of India for attracting both domestic and international investors in airport infrastructure and acknowledges the tremendous success of the public-private partnership model of airports development, more specifically the build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme and variations thereof.

ACI Asia-Pacific is committed to continue working with the widest range of stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem in ensuring government policies foster infrastructure development, high airport service quality, digital transformation, and sustainable operations. ACI Asia-Pacific will continue advocating for its airports community as they deliver economic and social benefits to their respective communities and in support and pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.