Snapshot
Indian Aviation, flying high
India is now the third largest and fastest growing aviation market in terms of domestic tickets sold.
India has 91 international carriers comprising of 5 Indian carriers and 86 foreign carriers, which ensure that India is well connected with most major countries. Revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) in domestic airline demand growth of 18.6% in 2018 was three times the global RPK growth of 6.5%.
- Indian carriers are projected to increase their fleet size to 1,200 aircraft by 2024.
- Freight traffic on Indian airports is expected to cross 11.4 MT by 2032.
- Government agencies projects requirement of around 250 brownfield and green-field airports by 2020.
- India is the fastest-growing aviation market and is expected to cater to 520 mn passengers by 2037.
- India has been projected to be the second-fastest-growing country in the world for passenger traffic by the Airports Council International (ACI) in its traffic forecasts between 2017-40.
- Demand for aircraft in India is expected to be 1,750 by 2037.
Up to 100% FDI is permitted in Non-scheduled air transport services under the automatic route.
Up to 100% FDI is permitted in helicopter services and seaplanes under the automatic route.
Up to 100% FDI is permitted in MRO for maintenance and repair organizations; flying training institutes; and technical training institutes under the automatic route.
Up to 100% FDI is permitted in Ground Handling Services subject to sectoral regulations & security clearance under the automatic route.
For further details, please refer FDI Policy
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Passenger traffic growth
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Foreign Tourist Arrival growth
- MMT
Total freight traffic (MMT)
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Domestic aircraft movement growth

Ninth largest Civil Aviation market in the world

Fastest growing domestic air market in the world

52 DGCA approved AME Training Institutes

- Industry Scenario
- FOREIGN INVESTMENT
- INDUSTRY TRENDS
- POLICIES & SCHEMES
Industry Scenario
The Aviation sector in India currently contributes $72 bn to GDP.
India has 464 airports and airstrips, of which 125 airports are owned by Airport Authority of India (AAI). These 125 AAI airports manage close to 78% of domestic passenger traffic and 22% of international passenger traffic.
Passenger traffic in India stood at 316.51 mn during April 2018 - Feb 2019. Out of which domestic passenger traffic stood at 252.92 mn while international traffic stood at 63.59 mn. The aircraft movement, passenger traffic and freight traffic increased by 4.9%, 4.5% and 3.1% respectively in February 2019 viz-a-viz February 2018, across all Indian airports taken together.
However, the share of international cargo traffic is much higher at 68.5% in comparison with 31.5% of domestic cargo traffic.
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) industry is expected to grow to $1.2 bn by 2020 from $950 mn currently.
GROWTH DRIVERS
New airport addition
Aim to increase the number of operational airports to 250 by 2020
Infrastructure development
$ 120 bn investment in airport infrastructure
Market advantage
India’s aviation market to become 3rd largest by 2024
The significant increase in M&A activities
Etihad-Jet, Tata-Singapore Airlines, Tata-Air Asia
Regional connectivity
Boost air connectivity to smaller cities & northeastern states

