WINGS INDIA 2022 REPORT
8th WINGS INDIA 2022 SHOW REPORT
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, jointly with FICCI, organised the 8th Edition of Indian Aviation Show Series - Wings India 2022 from 24th to 27th March 2022 at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport. Wings India 2022, had about 25 aircraft on static display, had the participation of about 100 companies, including companies like AAI, Adani Group, Airbus Group, ATR, Boeing, CFM, CSIR, Diamond Aircraft, Embraer, Honda Jet, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), L&T, Maini, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Pawan Hans, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, etc.
WINGS INDIA 2022 REPORT
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, jointly with FICCI, organised the 8th Edition of Indian Aviation Show Series - Wings India 2022 from 24th to 27th March 2022 at Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport. Wings India 2022, the International Exhibition & Conference for the Civil Aviation Industry in India.
Wings India Displayed Aviation Innovations
Wings India 2022 was organised by FICCI jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation with the theme of the four-day biennial event being ‘India @75 New Horizon for Aviation Industry’. Wings India 2022 is the International Exhibition and Conference for the Indian Civil Aviation Sector, providing a congenial forum catering to the rapidly changing dynamics of the sector, focusing on new business acquisition, investments, policy formation and Regional Connectivity. The Show seeks to provide a much desired fillip to the Aviation Sector with focused forums instrumental in attaining the objective of connecting the Buyers, Sellers, Investors and other stakeholders at a common vantage forum. Wings India 2022 was held from 24th to 27th March, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad, Telangana, which is the hub of Aviation in India, and remains the host of the Civil Aviation event, earlier called ‘India Aviation’. The programme had a special focus on connecting the cities and towns aimed at increasing the Regional Connectivity in India.
Wings India 2022 - a flagship event on Civil Aviation Sector in this part of the world, was held with the objective to provide a platform to the Aviation fraternity to showcase the challenges of the Aviation Sector in the newly developing growth spots and understand how the technology driven innovations will change air travel in future.
Civil Aviation is the key Infrastructure Sector that facilitates growth of business, seamless flow of investments, trade and tourism with significant multiplier effects across the country. India is one of the fastest growing aviation markets and is nearly the 3rd largest Aviation Market in the world.
This biennial Exhibition on Civil Aviation and Aerospace Sector continued to surpass the landmark created by the earlier events and witnessed similar participation from International and Indian Companies from sectors such as Aircraft Manufacturing, Aircraft Machinery & Equipment, Aircraft Interiors, Airlines, Airline Services & Air Cargo, Airports Infrastructure & Equipment, the Space Industry and the Skill Development & Aviation Training Institutes.
The event aimed to be the most comprehensive event on the Civil Aviation Industry calendar that included Exhibition, Conference, Chalets, Demonstration Flights, CEOs Forum, Aircraft Static & Flying Display, Aerobatics, Media Conferences, one-to-one business meetings, etc. The event witnessed participation from about 100 Exhibitors from India & globe, with about 25 aircraft showcased at the Static Display area. Concurrent events such as the Inaugural Ceremony, International Conference, Global CEOs’ Forum, B2B / B2G Meetings, Thematic Pavilion and Awards Ceremony, Cultural Night & Business Networking Dinner were some of the highlights of the Show.
The event was an ideal platform for organisations to participate as an Exhibitor showcasing latest products and services to the industry. Companies participation was enriched by the networking opportunity in the presence of Policy Makers, Government Officials, Technology Experts, Buyers and Business Partners. This was an appropriate platform for companies to tap the immensely growing potential of the India Aviation Market.
Wings India 2022 represents a huge opportunity for India and its neighbouring countries, and the sector will be churning out large number of jobs for those looking to enter the industry. Wings India 2022 with the theme India @75 New Horizon for Aviation Industry was organised by FICCI jointly with Airport Authority of India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), provided an opportunity to build strong roots of the ecosystem that the Civil Aviation Industry represents. India has become the third largest Domestic Aviation market in the world. India presently handles the third largest domestic traffic after the U.S. and China. India has the largest number of Unicorns and Start-Ups, and the Aviation Sector is surging ahead depending on the COVID control measures. There is a huge opportunity for the Aviation Industry.
The Indian Civil Aviation Conference at Wings India 2022 focused on fostering Partnership to transform the Indian Aviation Sector and the role of conducive regulatory framework to facilitate growth of the Civil Aviation market, and represented the strength and opportunities in the Indian Aviation Sector to the potential stakeholders.
Wings India Awards 2022
Wings India Awards 2022 function was held at the Hotel Taj Krishna, Hyderabad. The Awards were conferred by: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India; Rajiv Bansal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India; Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. Sangita Reddy, Past President, FICCI; Presentation by PwC; Awards Distribution Ceremony, was followed by an Address by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) organised the 3rd Edition of “Wings India Awards” in the Civil Aviation Sector. PWC is the ‘Knowledge Partner’ for Awards. “Wings India Awards” were conferred upon the Aviation-related Companies / Institutions / Organisations that have created benchmarks and made notable contributions in Civil Aviation in India. The four-day event witnessed the presence of about 100 exhibitors and 35 CEOs. Wings India 2022 had representation from about 10 countries, namely USA, Japan, U.K, Brazil, Singapore, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Italy. Besides, about 25 aircraft of Airbus, Honda Jet, Trujet, Boeing, Embraer, Air India, IAF, HAL, NAL, Bell Helicopters, Diamond Aircraft, Cessna and others, were at the static display of the show.
Aviation Business Opportunities
The theme of Wings India 2022 was "India @75 New Horizon for Aviation Industry”. India is on the journey to become the third largest Aviation Market in the world by 2026, after USA and China. Above 100 International Airlines operate to India and the Indian Carriers connect about 45 countries.
The Indian Civil Aviation Industry remains to be on a high growth path. The Aviation Sector in India is experiencing dramatic growth across the board owing to opening up of the Airport Infrastructure to Private Sector participation; growth in business and leisure travel; increase in inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); emergence of LCCs / new Carriers; large-scale investments in the Airport Infrastructure; UDAN - the Regional Connectivity Scheme and the growth in the Air Cargo / Logistics Industry. India plans to be a Global Aviation Hub. 200 low-cost Airports are planned to be built in the next 20 years to connect Tier-II and Tier-III Cities, with major focus on the Modernisation and Upgradation of Airports and Infrastructure.
Show Participants included Leading Aircraft and Helicopter Manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, Cessna, Textron Aviation, Embraer, Diamond Aircraft, Honda Jet, HAL, NAL, Air Works and ATR. Some well known Engine Manufacturers like Safran/CFM International, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney showcased their products and expertise. Some 25 Aircraft ranging from Small Business Jets to Microlights were on static display. Some of these included IAF & HAL Do-228 Dornier, TAC-003 of Thrust Aircraft Co., Embraer’s E195-E2 Commercial Jet, Bell 505 Helicopter, Diamond Aircraft DA42 NG & 43 NG of Tribhawan Technology, Cessna 182T & 206, General Aviation Aircraft and the Honda Jet HA420 as well. HAL’s New Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv were on display as well.
Some of the leading exhibitors included Adani Group, Airbus Group, Boeing Company, Embraer Commercial Jets, ATR, Govt of A.P, Gujarat, MP, Telangana, Karnataka, GVK, High Commission of Canada, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), CFM, Jet Airways, Cessna, Textron Aviation, Air Asia, Airport Authority of India(AAI), Air Works, Bell, Bird Execujet Airport Services, Business Aircraft Operators Association, Bell, Chanakya Aerospace, CSIR, Deccan Charters, Diamond Aircraft, GMR, Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation Ltd, L&T, National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), Pawan Hans Ltd, Rolls-Royce, Rotor, Turbo Aviation, etc.
Wings India 2022, the Indian Aviation Show was supported by Air India, Airports Authority of India, Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA), Pawan Hans Ltd. (PHL), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Business Aircraft Operators Association.
The Air Cargo Industry in India has high potential to be developed as a major industry and economy enabler like the Passenger Aviation Industry. There is a need for a collaborative, consultative and a comprehensive approach between the Private Sector Air Cargo & Logistics Industry, and the Government. The need of the hour is a solution-centric approach to creating a best in world-class industry. Government plays a facilitator role in regulation and policy and initiatives are already underway for a comprehensive involvement of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Department of Revenue.
For simplifying Air Cargo movement, two e-Freight Portals exist, which are among the first in the world. More infrastructure and physical space for Cargo SAT Airports in the country are being created.
Airports should be a symbol of the state’s culture and heritage. The Government is focusing on Regional Connectivity and in the next five years, in-bound tourism will witness a growth. Infrastructure was one of the biggest challenges for the sector and the Government needed to address it. Trained manpower was required in the sector and taxation on Airline Turbine Fuel (ATF) should be brought down and made uniform across states. Open sky policy and capping of airfares are some of the issues that are raised by the stakeholders, which needed the Government’s prompt attention.
Besides skilling manpower, which is joining the industry every year, the challenge is Skill Upgradation of the existing workforce. The Government is focusing on creating an ecosystem for scaling up skilling and on creating capacity by providing standardised and right quality skills. The Aviation Sector could take the country to a higher GDP growth trajectory. However, this growth could be further hampered with the lack of skilled manpower. Skill Development needed to be demand-driven with Industry-led initiatives. Providing effective and efficient skill training would allow India to emerge as an exporter of talent to the world. To achieve this, long-term structured approach, standardisation of skills, robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and strengthening of Industry-Academia linkages, are needed. Assessors, students, trainers and curriculum are integral aspects of Skill Development. Though Training-the-Trainer Programmes were being organised, but the need is to scale them up further.
The FICCI Wings India Roundtables provided the Industry a platform to interact and exchange their views and raise issues with the Government officials to pave the way for the speedy growth of the Indian Civil Aviation Sector.
Static Aircraft Displays
Airbus A350 Airliner; HAL Dornier Do-228 Aircraft, ALH Dhruv Helicopter & Light Ultility Helicopter (LUH); Thrust Aircraft Co. TAC-003 Utility; B787; Tribhawan Technology-Diamond Aircraft DA-40NG Utility; Tribhawan Technology DA-42NG Utility; Embraer E195-E2 Commercial Jet; Honda Jet HA420; Cessna 182T & Cessna 206 Textron Aviation Turboprops, Bell 505 Helicopter, General Aviation Aircraft, etc.
International Exhibitors
Wings India 2022 had the participation from some major companies like AAI, Adani Group, Airbus Group, Air Asia, Air Works , Andhra Pradesh, ATR, Avdel, Bell Helicopters, Bird, Boeing, Cessna, CFM, Chanakya Aerospace, Chattisgarh, Czech Republic, Diamond, Deccan, Embraer, EMTEQ, Elcom, Flywell Aviation, GMR, GVK, Gujarat, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Jet Airways, L&T, Madhya Pradesh, Maini Group, NAC, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Olympus, Pawan Hans Ltd., PPG Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney (P&W), Rajasthan, Rolls-Royce, SAR, SIATI, Supreme Aviation, Swan, TDI, Telangana, Turbo Aviation, etc.
Participants Profile
Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, Business Aircraft, Cargo Aircraft, Helicopters, Motor Gliders, Para Gliders, Air Balloons, Airport - Infrastructure, Construction and Design of Airfields & Airports, Communication, Navigation and Air Traffic Control Equipment, Cargo and Passenger Terminals Equipment, Air Traffic Control Systems & Equipments, Airlines, Airline Services & Air Cargo, Airlines, Aviation Service Agencies, Charter Transportation Organisation, Cargo Transportation Services, On-board and Ground Handling Agencies for Airlines and Airport, Transport Logistics Service Agencies, Airline Charters & Taxi Operators, Space Industry, Manufacturers of Space Equipment, Components and Accessories, Design and IT for Space, Space Agencies, Government Departments in Space Technology, Allied Industry Products & Component Manufacturers, etc., Skill Development, Flying Schools & Educational Services, Flying Crew & Ground Crew Training Institutes, Aviation Engineering Colleges, Aircraft Interior, Cabin Interiors, Design Bureau, Design Materials & Systems, Textiles and Accessories, Training & Simulation, etc.
Exhibitors Profile
Aircraft Machinery & Equipment Companies, Aero Engines - Accessories & Components, Aircraft Construction and Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance, Overhaul & Repair (MRO), Security, Fire and Safety Equipment, Electric and Lighting Facilities, Air-Conditioning and Pressurizing Equipment, Auxiliary and Emergency Power Units, Brakes and Wheels, Compressor and Gas Turbine Blades, Cargo Handling Equipment, Castings, Command and Control Systems, Computers - Software, Systems and Hardware, Containers, Electro-Optics, Film and Video, Flight Control Equipment, Flight Navigation Equipment, Flight Recorders, Flight Simulators and Trainers, Fueling Equipment - Airborne & Ground, Fuels and Lubricants, Meteorological Equipment, Parachutes, Passenger Handling Equipment, Project Management & Planning, Propellers, Seats - Ejection, Passenger/aircrew, Sensors - Electronics, Optronic, Optics, Radar, Sonar & Under Water Acoustic, Soundproofing Materials, Avionics, Tools, Repair Kits, Accessories & Test Equipment, Training & Simulation, etc.
The Conference agenda, jointly developed by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and FICCI addressed the key challenges confronting the Civil Aviation Sector and promoted an open dialogue among Industry thought-leaders to innovate practical, sustainable solutions to boost growth of Civil Aviation in India. It also highlighted the emerging investment opportunities in the Indian Aerospace Manufacturing market and building capabilities for promoting Indigenisation of Aerospace Manufacturing and MRO Services.
The Conference provided an opportunity for the Aviation players, to debate on diverse topics relating to policy & regulatory regime, emerging challenges & opportunities, international best practices, etc. The Conference brings together Airport Infrastructure Developers/ Operators, Airlines, bilateral & multi-lateral agencies, the leaders of major manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers in the Aerospace & Aviation Industry to discuss manufacturing capabilities and processes, best practices, advances and innovations, automation, industry trends and forecasts.
Regional Connectivity Focus Point
Wings India 2022 had a special focus on harnessing the potential of Regional Connectivity in India. The Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Union Civil Aviation Secretary also participated in Wings India 2022. The event had a special focus on connecting the cities and towns aimed at boosting Regional Connectivity. It served as a platform in the region for interactions, forging alliances, making investments and to explore various Air Connectivity options between the States and Global Aviation players and stakeholders present, even though many were not able to attend due to the pandemic.
Wings India 2022 also had some special events hosted by some of the participating State Governments. With the Central Government laying special focus on the UDAN Scheme, Regional Connectivity took centre stage with most Aircraft Operators eyeing this space, with the Business and General Aviation Industry witness to green shoots as the Government seeks to further improve Regional Air Connectivity in India.
The Business Aviation Industry has undergone a sea change in India over the past decade and has gained much recognition. The utility of Business Aviation, as a productivity tool and a contributor to economic development, is becoming more evident and should serve as the prime rationale to put in place an appropriate framework enabling industry's growth and its role in channelising economic and social benefits throughout India.
The Aerobatics Display at the Show had ALH Dhruv Helicopters flown by the Indian Air Forces' Sarang Aerobatics Team. Ministry of Civil Aviation is the nodal Ministry responsible for the formulation of National Policies & programmes for development & regulations of Civil Aviation & for devising and implementing schemes for the orderly growth and expansion of Civil Air Transport.
Airbus Partners with Airlift Global to Foster Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in India
Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airlift Global, a company backed by United Kingdom-based AUM Capital to foster Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and associated Air Medical Services in India.
The MoU was signed at Wings India 2022, India’s flagship Civil Aviation event, by Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters, Airbus India and South Asia and Jayeis B. Sonill, Director, Airlift Global in the presence of Dr. Andrew Fleming, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Niall Ahern, British First Secretary of Trade. Under the Partnership, Airbus and Airlift Global will collaborate to develop a Pilot Project integrating Air Ambulance and Medical Emergency Services, aimed at fostering improved healthcare accessibility and connectivity within both Urban and rural environments of India.
Airbus and Airlift Global will identify key frameworks, roadmaps and viable investment instruments necessary to support and sustain credible, impactful Emergency Air Medical Services deployment in India. Both organisations will also conduct Joint Research on HEMS and Air Ambulance Services and will encourage standardisation of operations of these services with established healthcare and related service providers. Both organisations will also form working groups of industry experts and professionals to drive awareness about HEMS.
“HEMS is a globally established best practice. There is an urgent need for this service in India. HEMS can save lives by ferrying patients and/or accident victims within the ‘Golden Hour’, help in organ transportation and taking healthcare to the remotest parts of our country,” said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters, Airbus India and South Asia. “A HEMS Ecosystem needs to be built in India in Partnership with Government bodies, global service providers and Helicopter OEMs. Our Partnership with Airlift Global is a step in the direction of developing this critical segment of healthcare in India.”
Jayeis B. Sonill of Airlift Global commented, “We are pleased to be given the opportunity to assist in the development of HEMS operations in India and help serve patients in their most critical hour of need. Working alongside key Partners, including State Government Agencies, Medical Service providers and other stakeholders, the sustainable establishment and equitable accessibility of this vital Emergency Medical Air Service will be paramount for modern India and better serve humanity. The UK has a long history of HEMS and we look forward to sharing our insights and expertise for the common societal good.”
About 70% of India’s population lives in rural areas with limited access to quick and quality healthcare. Helicopters can bridge this gap by not only transporting patients from rural areas to equipped hospitals, but also transporting medical teams to remote locations. The Ministry of Road Transportation and Highways too has recognised the utility of helicopters in saving lives and has implemented HEMS in its plans for new expressways across the country.
Airbus Helicopters have been working on various life-saving missions for more than five decades. The organisation offers a range of helicopters recognised for their suitability for HEMS Operations, speed and reliability, modular cabins, excellent manoeuvrability, the ability to land anywhere and low operating costs.
Airbus A350 Centre Stage at Wings India Air Show
The Airbus A350, the undisputed leader in sustainable long-range air travel, was the focus of attention at the Wings India 2022 Air Show. Showcasing the future of long-haul travel, Airbus put the A350 on a static display along with its portfolio of world-class products and services that are fostering the growth of Commercial Aviation in India. Hyderabad was also the last stop of the A350’s Demonstration Tour of India beginning on March 21st, 2022.
“Air travel in India is at an inflection point with a growing middle class, an increasing propensity to travel and a geographical advantage all conducive to opening up the long-haul potential. It is the time for the renaissance of international travel solutions in and out of India,” said Rémi Maillard, President and MD of Airbus India & South Asia. “The A350 offers the greatest range capability combined with the lowest fuel burn, and is the strategic enabler for Indian Airlines to regain market share in the lucrative long-haul segment and to profitably grow their operations. We believe the A350 will shape the future of long-range travel. So we are delighted to be showcasing the A350 aircraft at Wings India 2022.”
At Hyderabad, Airbus Group displayed a scale model of its single aisle A220 aircraft, purpose-built for the 100-160 seat market that can prove to be a game changer for Regional Connectivity in India. Alongside there was a cutaway model of the A350-900 Widebody Airliner. Airbus Helicopters’ showcased scale models of the ACH130 from its Corporate portfolio and the Multi-Role H160 Rotorcraft. Visitors to the stand could also learn about an array of material, airframe and training services offered by Airbus and gain knowledge about its open Digital Platform for Aviation - Skywise.
On the public days on March 26th & 27th, Airbus hosted a “Meet-and-Greet” recruitment event at its stand. Company executives met candidates for prospective positions in digital and engineering streams. The company was looking for specific skill sets, including in Big Data, IoT, Avionics Software and Airframe Engineering.
India Aircraft Demand Seen at 2,210 Over Next 20 Years
India will require 2,210 new aircraft over the next 20 years, according to Airbus’ latest India Market Forecast. That fleet could comprise 1,770 new small and 440 medium and large aircraft. Over the next decade, India will grow to have the largest population in the world, its economy will grow the fastest among the G20 Nations, and a burgeoning middle class will spend more on air travel. As a result, passenger traffic in India will grow at 6.2% per annum by 2040, the fastest among the major economies and well above the global average of 3.9%. India has witnessed an upward trend in the growth of air traffic over the last ten years – with domestic traffic growing almost threefold, and international traffic more than doubling. On international routes, India has only about 1/10th of the Widebody Fleet installed in similar markets, depriving homegrown Carriers of a larger share of the profitable long-haul routes now dominated by foreign airlines.
“We have seen India’s domestic market develop strongly with our flagship A320 aircraft. It is time now for Indian Carriers to unlock the potential of international travel in and out of India, leveraging the country’s demographic, economic and geographic dividends,” said Rémi Maillard, President and MD, Airbus India & South Asia. “Whether it is expanding existing Airlines or supporting new Airlines, there must now be a re-fleeting and rethinking about future-oriented solutions with technology that paves the way for sustainable long-range travel. The A350 is the perfect solution for that,” Maillard said, announcing the India Market Forecast on the opening day of the Wing India Air Show held at Hyderabad.
To serve its growing Aviation Industry, India will require an additional 34,000 pilots and 45,000 technicians by 2040. The complete Airbus product line comprises the only aircraft specifically designed for the small single-aisle market, the A220, the world’s best-selling A320 Family, the mid-size widebody A330/330neo and the Long-Range Leader, the A350. In the Freight market, Airbus aircraft are available with the A320/321P2F (Passenger to Freighter), the A330-200F and A330P2F as well as the world's newest Freighter, the A350F.
With about 64% backlog order share, and 74% of In-Service Fleet, Airbus will deliver more than one aircraft to India every week for the next 10 years. Airbus supports 7,000 jobs, including about 1,650 Engineers in India, with annual sourcing from India at more than US$ 650 Million.
Rolls-Royce Explores Opportunities for its Trent Engines for Widebody Aircraft at Wings India 2022
Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s leading industrial technology companies, was keenly exploring opportunities in the growing Indian Civil Aviation market. At the Wings India 2022 event in Hyderabad, the company was focused on familiarising customers with its advanced Trent Family of Engines, including the Trent 700, Trent 1000, Trent 7000 and Trent XWB. The Trent Family is the most successful Widebody Programme and Trent powered fleets account for over 25% of all engine flying hours on routes to and from India today. All of Rolls-Royce Engines are certified to run on a blend of up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and Rolls-Royce is committed to making all its Engines compatible with 100% SAF by the end of 2023.
Kishore Jayaraman, President - India & South Asia, Rolls-Royce, said, “Rolls-Royce has a strong legacy of Partnership with India starting with powering the first Commercial Aircraft of Tata in 1932, and since then we have been contributing towards the development of a strong Aerospace Ecosystem in India. With India poised to become the third largest air passenger market, Rolls-Royce is well-positioned to meet the demands of a growing Civil Aerospace Sector. As India sees more domestic and international routes opening up, there is a strong case for induction of Widebody Aircraft into the fleet mix of Airlines in India.”
Chris Davie, Senior Vice President Customers - Asia Pacific, said, “With superior technology solutions and a strong presence in the Aerospace Ecosystem, Rolls-Royce is ready to support India’s growing Aviation market. With more international routes opening up, passengers will seek more value and reliability especially when flying long haul routes. Modern Widebody Aircraft offer huge advantages to Airlines that want to increase their capability and capture a growing market for long haul travel to and from India. In line with our commitment to offer cleaner and more efficient power, our Trent Engines have been setting performance benchmarks for Civil Aviation with their fuel-efficiency, and cleaner, quieter operations. At Wings India, we are excited to engage with our customers and other stakeholders to explore the opportunities in this market.”
Rolls-Royce have a strong Supply Chain for Trent Engine Components in India. Last year at Aero India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was awarded new business from Rolls-Royce to supply forgings including shrouds, cases and seals for Rolls-Royce's Trent Family of Engines and for the Pearl 15 Engines.
The Trent XWB is to be the most efficient Widebody Aero Engine in service today and is the latest generation addition to the Trent Family of Engines. The Trent XWB has been employed by Airlines all around the world on a variety of missions from domestic to ultra long haul routes. Globally, Trent Engines are currently in service on the Airbus A330, A340, A350, and A380, as well as the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner.
Rolls-Royce pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society, and has pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in operations by 2030 (excluding product testing) and joined the UN Race to Zero campaign in 2020, affirming its ambition to play a fundamental role in enabling the sectors in which it operates to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 Airlines and leasing customers, 160 Armed Forces and Navies, and more than 5,000 Power and Nuclear customers.
BEL and AAI Join Hands to Develop Indigenous Air Traffic Management Systems
In a major boost to its own diversification drive into non-defence and the Government’s ‘Make-in-India’ programme, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Airports Authority of India (AAI), under it’s R&D initiative at Wings India 2022 entered into an agreement for the joint, indigenous development of systems for Air Traffic Management and Surface Movement of Aircraft at Airports in the country, which were hitherto being imported.
Under this Agreement, BEL and AAI will Jointly Develop Civil Air Traffic Management System (ATMS) with Advanced-Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (ASMGCS), a Complex Ground Surveillance System that manages Air Traffic at Airports and in Indian Civil Airspace for safe operation of flights from take-off to landing.
The agreement was signed by M. V. Raja Sekhar, Director (R&D), BEL, and M. Suresh, Member (ANS), on behalf of BEL and AAI, respectively, in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman AAI, at Wings India 2022 in Hyderabad. The Dual-Purpose of Air Traffic Control is to ensure safety, maintaining separation between multiple aircraft, and efficient management of operations at the Airport and Indian Airspace. ASMGCS provides Routing, Guidance and Surveillance Services to Aircraft & Vehicles, on the ground, in order to maintain safe surface movement in all-weather conditions at the Airport.
The aim of ATMS with ASMGCS is to provide the Air Traffic Controller with the complete Air Traffic Picture of the coverage area while interacting with Primary/Secondary Radar, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Multi-lateration System (MLATs), and Navigational Equipment such as GPS, Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR). It also interfaces with multiple sub-systems including Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN), Airport Operational Database (AODB), Airport Collaborative Decision Making (ACDM) and Centralised Air Traffic Flow Management System (CATFM). The system is used in congested Airports and Airspaces to serve large volume of Air Traffic, including Military Flights.
The system comprises multiple, in-house developed technologies, such as Situation Display for Air Traffic Controller, Surveillance Data Processing (SDP), Flight Data Processing (FDP), Safety Net and Decision Support (SNET), Control & Monitoring Display (CMD), Advanced ASMGCS, etc. It helps in increasing capacity with improved safety by reducing controller workload, improving Air Traffic flow and minimising flight delays. Enhanced system reliability and availability are provided through redundant and distributed architecture, safeguarding ATM Operations.
M. V. Raja Sekhar, Director (R&D), BEL, said after signing the agreement: “BEL has been continuously striving to expand its array of solutions for various non-defence business segments. This Agreement with AAI is a major step towards ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ Missions of the Government of India. The agreement aims at leveraging the complementary strengths and capabilities of BEL and AAI, and enabling both to address Airport Modernisation opportunities.”
Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman AAI said, “AAI is committed for safe and efficient Air Navigation Services across Indian Airspace/Airports enhancing capacity and cost-effective & environment friendly services to its customers. AAI, regularly Upgrades the ATM System at the Airports in line with evolving global service standards. The present agreement is in conformity with AAI’s R & D Policy to upgrade its ANS Infrastructure in systematic, efficient and cost-effective manner and in compliance with the ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ Missions of the Government of India. This will reduce AAI’s foreign dependency for procurement of ANS Infrastructure. I wish this will open a new chapter of collaboration in Indian Aviation Industry.”
AAI, a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, manages 137 Airports, which include 24 International Airports (including three International Civil Enclaves), 10 Customs Airports (including four Customs Civil Enclaves), 80 Domestic Airports and 23 Domestic Civil Enclaves at Defence Airfields. AAI is entrusted to provide Air Traffic Management Services over the entire Indian Civil Airspace and adjoining Oceanic areas with state-of-the-art technology, which includes Ground Installations at all Airports and other locations to ensure safety of Aircraft Operations.
BEL is a Multi-Product, Multi-Technology, Multi-Unit conglomerate having products in the areas of Radars, Missile Systems, Military Communications, Naval Systems, Electronic Warfare & Avionics, C4I Systems, Electro-Optics, Tank Electronics & Gun/Weapon System Upgrades and Electronic Fuzes in the Defence segment. BEL’s non-Defence business segment includes areas such as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Homeland Security & Smart Cities, Air Traffic Controller Radars, Solar, Satellite Integration & Space Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, besides Composite Shelters & Masts.
Pratt & Whitney Announces New Capabilities Center in Bengaluru
Pratt & Whitney announced its plans to open a world-class Global Supply Chain Support Center in Bengaluru, India. The India Capability Center (ICC) will employ hundreds of analysts and data scientists to augment Pratt & Whitney’s Global Supply Chain, focused on Digital Capabilities.
“We are proud to announce our Supply Chain Support Center in Bengaluru – a first-of-its-kind investment for Pratt & Whitney in India,” said Jim Hamakiotis, Vice President, Supply Management, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “As we build upon our Digital Transformation efforts at Pratt & Whitney, the India Center will play a crucial role in creating an advanced and integrated Global Supply Chain for us.”
The Center began recruiting for its first tranche of 160 Aerospace Analysts and Data Scientists and is expected to begin initial operations by April 2022. The Center will be co-located at Collins Aerospace’s Campus in Yelahanka, Bengaluru.
“India provides the perfect ecosystem of Aerospace talent, innovation and capabilities for us,” said Ashmita Sethi, President and Country Head, Pratt & Whitney. “Over the years we have made significant investments, including our state-of-the-art India Customer Training Center in Hyderabad and our advanced R&D Center in Bengaluru. Our new Center is a great example of our continued commitment to India, and we aim to grow our in-country capabilities further.” The India Capability Center will collaborate with teams across Pratt & Whitney’s Global Supply Chain, and will focus on supply chain operations, procurement, and digital analytics.
“India’s ICC will deliver seamless international collaboration. We look forward to building a team that is curious, innovative and aligned to Pratt & Whitney’s mission – and Bengaluru serves as the perfect talent hub,” said Sandeep Sharma, Director, India Operations, Supply Chain, Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Pratt & Whitney already has a strong, decade-old Research & Development (R&D) presence in Bengaluru. The company’s world-class R&D Center at Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bengaluru focuses on cutting-edge Materials and Propulsion Technologies Research. With over 1700 Engines and APUs (Auxiliary Power Units) powering more than 900 aircraft, Pratt & Whitney has the largest footprint of any engine maker in the country, and nearly one in every two people flying in India, fly on planes powered by Pratt & Whitney Engines.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of Aircraft and Helicopter Engines, and Auxiliary Power Units. Pratt & Whitney manufactures the PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan (GTF) and V2500 Engines, offering Technical Training Courses certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also certified the GTF Training, complementing the DGCA Certification of V2500-A5 Training obtained in early 2017. The P&W Hyderabad Training Center brings hands on, live, World-Class Aerospace Training closer to its customers in this high-growth region. P&W delivers Training programmes that help create a more skilled local Aviation talent pool and supports India in becoming a leader in the Global Aviation Industry.
Pratt & Whitney has established Training Centers in East Hartford, Connecticut, Beijing and Hyderabad, to enhance the skills of the Aerospace workforce throughout the world. The Training Centers provide instruction in general Engine familiarisation, line and base maintenance and borescope inspection training for P&W’s portfolio of products, including the revolutionary GTF Engine.
Embraer Displayed Cutting-edge E195-E2 at Wings India 2022
Embraer’s largest Commercial Aircraft, the E195-E2 (call sign PR-ZIQ) was participating at Wings India 2022 as part of its Demonstration Tour around India. Showcasing a stunning ‘TechLion’ livery that covers the entire aircraft’s fuselage, this aircraft is the largest member of the New-Generation E-Jets Family, the E-Jets E2, and is designed to seat up to 146 passengers in its signature two by two seating.
“India’s aviation scene is at a turning point and now is the moment for Airlines to reposition themselves for sustainable growth,” said Raul Villaron, Asia Pacific Vice President for Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The E195-E2, offers a low cost per seat, making it very competitive with large narrow-body aircraft that are prevalent in India. It is the perfect aircraft for Airlines to tap for the next frontier of growth – connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III cities.”
According to Embraer’s analysis, even before COVID, 50% of domestic flights in India had between 90 to 150 passengers per flight. This makes the E195-E2’s combination of ideal capacity and low unit cost a compelling platform to connect metro to non-metro and non-metro to non-metro cities in India.
The E195-E2, part of Embraer’s E2 Family of Advanced Jets, is dubbed the Profit Hunter because of its high performance and low fuel burn. It delivers the lowest operating costs and highest yields for Airlines, more comfort for passengers and space for their bags, smallest noise footprint and less impact on the environment. It is powered by PW1900G GTF™ Engines. The E195-E2 is operated by several Airlines globally including KLM (The Netherlands), Helvetic Airlines (Switzerland), Azul (Brazil), Air Peace (Nigeria) and soon, Porter Airlines (Canada).
The ‘TechLion’ livery on Embraer’s E195-E2 reflected the advance technology the aircraft features such as full Fly-By-Wire Capability and the ability of the aircraft – the world’s most efficient single-aisle jet – to deliver outstanding operating economics. The E195-E2 aircraft burns 25.4% less fuel per seat than the first-generation E195 and features the lowest levels of external noise and emissions in its class. It is also more fuel efficient than its direct competitor.
The E195-E2 is the most environmentally friendly aircraft in its class. It has the lowest levels of external noise and emissions. The cumulative margin to ICAO Stage IV noise limit ranges from 19 to 20 EPNdB, 4.0 EPNdB better than its direct competitor. The design philosophy of the E195-E2 Cabin is focused on increased personal space for passengers and their carry-on luggage. Embraer’s two by two seating provides greater passenger comfort, faster boarding and deplaning.
Embraer is a Global Aerospace Company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive Aviation, Defence & Security, and Agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of whollyowned entities and authorized agents. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes-off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of Commercial Jets up to 150 seats and is the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains Industrial Units, offices, Service and Parts Distribution Centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Embraer in India: Embraer has a long-standing presence in India and has been intrinsic to the country’s Aerospace Ecosystem. Embraer’s Commercial Aircraft, Business Jets, Defence Aircraft and Systems are used in the country. Embraer has also established several Authorized Service Centres across the country with Air Works India and Indamer Aviation.
Commercial Aviation: Star Air, a full-Embraer aircraft operator has five ERJ145s and flies it across its network of 13 destinations in India.
Business Aviation: There are 18 Business Jets in India, from the Phenom, Legacy & Lineage Family (Phenom 100, Phenom 300, Legacy 600/650 & Lineage 1000).
Government & Defence: Embraer collaborated with DRDO to produce 3 ‘Netra’ AEW&C on the Embraer ERJ145 Platform, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Embraer’s Legacy 600 Jets are also operated by the IAF and Border Security Force (BSF) for the transportation of Government Officials and VIPs.
Air Works Logs Multiple Award Wins
India’s largest independent MRO and Aviation Major, Air Works said the company has been adjudged the winner of two prestigious awards - Best MRO Service Provider Award and COVID 19 Business Continuity Award at Wings India 2022. The industry event also comprised Wings India Awards that are conferred upon Aviation-related Companies / Institutions / Organisations that have created benchmarks and made notable contributions in Civil Aviation in India, after a rigorous examination.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India, and Chief Guest at the event, presented the twin awards to D. Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO, Air Works Group at the ceremony that witnessed participation from the entire Civil Aviation community including key Indian and Global Aviation brands as well as leading industry stalwarts.
Commenting on the twin wins, an excited D. Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO of the Air Works Group said, “We are on top of the world after winning not one but two awards at this highly prestigious event. Being awarded at Wings India – by the Govt. of India, is a tribute to our commitment and zeal for Aviation, our customer focus, and our industry renowned quality workmanship, that clearly differentiates Air Works from other Service providers.”
“This is the first time, we have received two MRO of the Year Awards within the same year, and this makes the whole moment extra special and worth cherishing.”, he added. Only last month, Air Works received the ‘Best MRO Achievement Award 2021’ at ASSOCHAMs 13th Annual Conference cum Awards on Civil Aviation and Cargo.
India's Civil Aviation is among the fastest-growing Aviation Markets globally and contributes US$ 72 Billion to the country’s GDP. The resumption of international travel will hasten the efforts of industry to come back to its heydays soon.
As the MRO Partner for Wings India 2022, Air Works participated in numerous industry roundtables and panel discussions covering the Business Aviation and Helicopter Ecosystem and the ambitions for the MRO Industry in this decade.
Air Works is one of the most diversified MROs in the country with a pan-India presence in 28 locations with more than 1,400 employees. Reputed for excellent workmanship and attention to detail, Air Works is trusted by the Aviation Industry for its quality and reliability and has executed and delivered several industry and country-first projects in the field of Aviation Maintenance including structural works, Avionics as well as Design.
India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry
Despite the recent COVID-19 pandemic, India is on track to revive its air travel demand. This revival is clear evidence that the underlying fundamentals of flying in India has not changed. A growing middle class, increased Private Sector investment and more importantly, increased Public Sector investment has taken Indian Aviation Sector to new heights. But is the sector out of the woods? Has the pandemic changed the business model for the sector? The Session discussed how the sector has rebound post Covid & is gearing for the decade.
Welcome Address by Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Airports Authority of India. Industry Perspective by Remi Maillard, Chairman, FICCI Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD, Airbus Group. Address by Rajiv Bansal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. Address by Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Minister of Roads, Buildings, Legislative Affairs and Housing, Government of Telangana. Address by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. Release of Knowledge Paper, Exhibitor’s Directory & launch of Small Aircraft Sub-Scheme, was also held. Vote of Thanks by Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Roundtable on Helicopter Industry Session:
This Session provided a common platform for all industry stakeholders, states, policy makers to discuss the growth story of Indian Helicopter Industry (India@75), the issues, challenges, and brainstorming solutions for the way ahead. Helicopter Roundtable also focused on enhancing the scope of Regional Connectivity Scheme in remote areas, hilly terrains and, also expanding the Rural to Urban Connectivity in the country. Another key highlight was boosting tourism by providing uninterrupted Helicopter Services to the tourist hotspots and encouraging Helicopter-based Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) in India and showcasing the latest technology in the Helicopter Industry.
Wings India 2022 aimed to enhance the role of Helicopters in supporting other industries. Moderation was by Sunny Guglani, Co-Chair, FICCI General Aviation Taskforce & Head of Airbus Helicopters, India & South Asia; Welcome Address by Sanjeev Razdan, Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans; Setting the tone by Sunny Guglani, Co-Chair, FICCI General Aviation Taskforce & Head of Airbus Helicopters, India & South Asia. Address by Harsh Vardhan Sharma, Director, Himalayan Heli. Address by Shriram Ghatpande, Director Business Development, Bell Helicopters India; Presentation by Mangesh Karyakarte, Chief Sales Officer, Air Works on “The Future of Helicopter MRO Market”. Concluding Remarks by Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India; Vote of Thanks by Vishok Mansingh, Director, Viman Aero Services LLP.
Roundtable on Business Aviation Session:
This Session focused on the use of General Aviation Aircraft for a business purpose. Business Aviation being a part of General Aviation focuses on the business use of Airplanes and Helicopters. This Roundtable on Business Aviation was the platform for all the stakeholders of the sectors to discuss the specialised travel solutions and better understanding of efforts required for safe, secure, and efficient growth and also key issues for enhancing the Business Aviation on a sustainable model. Moderation was by Kanika Tekriwal, Co-Chair FICCI General Aviation Taskforce & Co-Founder & CEO, JetSetGo Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd. Industry Perspective by Rohit Kapur, President, JET HQ Asia; Ranjan Mehra, CEO, Club One Air. Address by Gp. Capt. Rajesh K. Bali (retd.), Managing Director, Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA). Address by Mangesh Karyakarte, Chief Sales Officer, Air Works.
The Outlook: Aviation Financing and Leasing
India leases 85% of its fleet from the offshore companies. It is strongly felt that India must leverage its growing Air Traffic to establish a robust Aircraft Leasing Industry, which would finance new aircraft deliveries through its own policies and products. It is vital to develop this new line of business in India for financial services and add India on the map of global financial centers for international financial services. Leasing Aircraft also provides Airlines the option to quickly increase and decrease capacity. As Airlines keep inducting new aircraft, owing to the shorter fleet replacement cycles, they benefit from lower maintenance costs, better fuel efficiencies and access to other new technologies. The Government has established a unified authority known as ‘International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA)’ to regulate all financial services in International Financial Services Centers (IFSCs) in the country. IFSCA has released a framework and the regulations and various steps have been taken to remove the bottlenecks and initiate Aircraft Leasing business. The Session focused on the reforms and changes that IFSC, like GIFT City in Gujarat, will enable to make India a compelling alternative to existing leasing destinations, thus fulfilling the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat in Aviation. Moderator: Alok Anand, Chairman & CEO, Acumen Aviation; Panelists: Prakash Rao, ED & CIO, NIIF; Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO, Star Air; Dipesh Shah, Executive Director (Development), IFSCA; Rajarshi Sen, CFO and Sr VP Leasing, Vman Aviation Services IFSC Pvt. Ltd.; Vasuki Prasad, Sales Director – APAC, Embraer 1500.
Air Cargo, Resilient in Paradigm Shift: A Perfect Illustration
The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a divergence between Air Cargo and Passenger Services. It has not only challenged the Air Cargo Sector, that accounts for approximately 35% of global trade by value, but has shown how the community has remained resilient, value-generating and quickly adapting to a fast-evolving situation. Air Cargo volumes have been more resilient to coronavirus pandemic-related effects than passenger traffic activity owing to increased ecommerce and online purchases. Air Cargo is frequently used to transport high-value, time-sensitive commodities and, more recently, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ventilators and other medical equipment. Air Cargo demand was driven by both urgencies to obtain these supplies and the need to fill in for Supply Chains that had been disrupted due to stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions. Despite the short-term growth and exemplary resilience, Air Cargo faces prolonged prevalent challenges which may impact in long term. Issues transpiring from a sharp global drop in passenger demand effecting the Air Cargo throughput largely due to decrease in passenger aircraft belly cargo capacity, over reliance on belly space, increased shipping rates, shortage of freighter aircrafts, lack of Multimodal Logistics Ecosystem and compounding trend towards economic protectionism that was evident before the pandemic. The session illustrated the Air Cargo resilience despite challenges by exemplary anecdotes, deliberated the changing nature of EXIM flows, industrial and agriculture cargo in the pandemic times, safety and addressing the immediate needs and eliminating long term deterrents. Moderator: Satish Lakkaraju, Sr. Vice President, Wiz Freight; Panelists: Ajay Kumar, CEO, AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Co. Ltd.; Kerry Mok, President & CEO, SATS, Singapore; Tulsi Nowlakha Mirchandaney, CEO, Blue Dart Aviation; Suvendu Choudhury, Managing Director, International Operations, FedEx Express; Saurabh Kumar, CEO, GMR Cargo.
Making India a Global Drone Hub by 2030: Issues & Way Forward
Drones have become an important tool in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, helping to create more resilient Supply Chains and socially distanced delivery services. The crisis is driving innovation in Drone Policy as society has started to recognise that the utility of Drones outweighs potential risks. Fully integrating Drones into Supply Chains will require collaboration and drive. Instead of nuisance or novelty, Drones are becoming necessary. Drones are shifting from a hyped-up super technology that can solve every challenge to a tool that can allow us to meet specific needs. New Aerial Technologies are set to play a major role in an economy looking for innovative ways to meet the demands of the coronavirus crisis and looking toward a global reset. This Session examined the future of Drones with emphasis on technology, infrastructure, standards/regulations, safety, privacy, collaborations, R&D and public acceptance. Chair: Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India; Moderator: Amit Ganjoo, CEO, ANRA Technologies; Panelists: Ankit Mehta, CEO, IdeaForge; Smit Shah, President, Drone Federation of India; Deepak Bhardwaj, Director & Co-Founder, IotechWorld Avigation Pvt. Ltd.; Vipul Singh, Co-Founder & CEO, Aarav Unmanned Systems Pvt. Ltd.
Global CEOs Forum
The Session witnessed the eminent CEOs of Airlines, Airports, Suppliers, Investors from across the world, discussing the global outlook, key trends, and synergy between the Indian and Global Aviation markets. The Session also focused on the contribution of participating countries in terms of facilitating Maintenance, Training, Upgrades, Flight Operations in India and across the globe. Strategies to strengthen Commercial Aviation Services were the highlight of the discussions.
The current state of the world economy, the post-pandemic crisis, and the impact of the ongoing Geo-political scenario on the global Aviation Sector are some of the key issues which were also deliberated. The Forum was an open platform to share insights to best navigate the pandemic, spotlight the opportunities and stake out the way forward. Moderation was by Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Aero-Manufacturing and MRO: A Segment in Upheaval
With India's high demand for aircraft, strategic geographic location, rich pool of engineering expertise and competitive labour cost, India has become an important part of the global footprint of leading OEMs. The Government of India aims to formulate a plan for the development of Indigenous Civilian Aircraft, Helicopters, and Associated Aviation Equipment to promote India as global hub for the manufacture, design, and innovation in Aeronautical Manufacturing under the 'Make-in-India' initiative. India has a huge potential to be the Global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub given a long-time perspective. The Minister of Finance also encourages to make the country a hub for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of Aircraft. For not just Civil Aircraft but Defence Aircraft can also benefit from the MRO if we make India a huge hub. The Session discussed strategic plans for any unprecedented crisis in the future, creating opportunities for India to be self-sufficient in providing the training required by MRO. The Session focused on the right steps in creating India a Manufacturing and MRO Hub to reduce the overall cost of the operators and thus having a ripple effect on the passengers and fulfilling the vision of UDAN. Moderator: Bharat Malkani, President, MRO Association of India; Panelists: Praveen P. A., Director - Aerospace & Defence; D. Maiti, CEO, HAL; Ashmita Sethi, Co-Chairman, FICCI Aviation Committee & President & Country Head, Pratt & Whitney; Laurie Alder, Head of Customer Services, Airbus India & South Asia; Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India; D. Anand Bhaskar, MD & CEO, Airworks; Vikram Rai, Country Head, South Asia & Indonesia, GE Aviation; Christopher Davie, SVP Civil, Rolls-Royce; Jitendra Jadhav, Director, CSIR - NAL.
Revival of Aviation - Ascending through the Clouds of Optimism: Airlines Perspective
Aviation will always remain an indispensable part of how we travel domestically or internationally, whether for business or leisure. Once we have braced the impact, Airlines will have to fend themselves during the revival phase. Revival phase would be akin to revamping business models with innovations and unprecedented strategies. The Airlines will have to find the perfect amalgamation of traditional approach of pushing all economic buttons and design approach of creating new tools & avenues that inherently augurs well for the entire ecosystem, with a definite focus on Sustainability. Commercial air travel is being eventually revitalised with Indian Government opening up the skies once again, the Aviation Sector is now moving towards the path to recovery, thus advancing the country’s economic fortune.
The Session discussed how with the right mix of policy support, creation of air bubbles, emphasis on community health, adequte safety measures & SoP’s, mitigating the fear perception, best practises and astute business acumen, the Aviation Sector is all set to walk the path of resurgence and touch new heights. Chair: Satyendra Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Moderator: Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18; Panelists: Ajay Singh, CMD, SpiceJet; Ronojoy Dutta, Director & CEO, Indigo; Mohammad Sarhan, VP, India & Nepal, Emirates Airline; Vinod Kannan, CEO, Vistara; Vinay Dube, Founder & CEO, Akasa Air; Sunil Bhaskaran, CEO & MD, AirAsia India Ltd.; Murray Smyth, Global CEO, WAISL Limited; Mark Cryan, VP Customer Business, Middle East & Asia, Pratt & Whitney.
Future of Travel: Airport Perspective
The impact of Covid has forced Airports to accelerate the use of digitalization in passenger journey. They have reduced critical touchpoints to improve confidence, while keeping passengers engaged. This adoption is likely to enhance passenger experience and at the same time, help Airports to re-invent non-aeronautical revenue generation. This Session discussed the current level of technology adoption at different Airports and how the trend is likely to evolve in the future, and how this trend will impact Airport’s revenue potential and passenger experience. Chair: Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Airports Authority of India; Co-Chair: Rubina Ali, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India; Moderator: Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Director at CRISIL Ltd.; Panelists: S. Suhas, IAS, MD, CIAL; Ali Mohammed Rajab, Executive Vice President of Economic Policies and International Cooperation, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA); Rajeev Kumar Jain, CEO Adani Airports, Adani Group; S. G. K. Kishore, Executive Director South & Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Group; Hari K. Marar, Managing Director & CEO, Bengaluru Airport; Ilia Lioutov, Senior Expert Economics and ESG, ACI Asia-Pacific; Nicolas Schenk, CDO, Noida International Airport; Sumesh Patel, President - Asia Pacific, SITA. - Anita Mal