Complete movement of essential medicines and goods has been felicitated via civil aviation and cargo, making cargo an integral part of the aviation system. Aviation has emerged as a resilient sector that can survive through this pandemic, mentioned Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation in the 7th edition of PHD Global Aviation & Air Cargo Summit themed Aviation -Air Cargo Industry’s New Growth Blueprint & Business Resurgence Parameters organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Pradeep Singh Kharola mentioned that the Indian aviation sector has faced a lot of challenges caused by the pandemic but survived due to the air freight and cargo, implicating the extensive potential of air cargo across borders. An aviation system can function when all the parts of the system function efficiently and in sync with each other.
Kharola opined that the new normal in the aviation industry is the safe contactless mode of travel. Air travel has immerged as one of the safest modes of travel during these tough times. In the current situation, people’s confidence in aviation has improved due to which new areas of travel and new customers are immerging.
Pradeep Singh Kharola emphasized that aviation is an international activity, we should understand and appreciate that it’s an activity between nations, it’s economically important for all the nations. We have to work together, open new airports, bring in efficiency, reduce cost, and build equitable and strong partnerships between the nations and airlines.
Vandana Aggarwal, Sr. Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation mentioned that there is an increase in the performance efficiency of air cargo and it’s time for India to aspire for a more equitable role in air cargo.
She discussed that we are working on a unified interface platform and national logistics portal which will integrate and provide advanced information to the regulators so that the dewily time is lower and all performance metrics and costs are regulated and reduced.
She shared that India is one of the few countries that has added air trade capacity on measurable terms besides the B2C conversions; we have added many freighters during the lockdown periods. We will be inducting some more freighters in some time. As the freighter capacity has increased, the ability to service the industry cost-effectively by the airlines will improve as well.
Dr. Ahmed A.R. Albanna, Ambassador, United Arab Emirates to India while sharing the strategic relationship shared between India and UAE mentioned that the aviation sector is a key player in building overall bilateral relationship, governed by the air service agreement. He mentioned about the close working with India to further strengthen aviation linkages and early reception of scheduled flights under the UAE-India Air service agreement. He emphasized that the aviation sector is a connective bridge and we will play an important role in letting the road to recovery during COVID-19 and we need to look at different and innovative ways to build our aviation industry recover.
Asein Isaev, Ambassador, Kyrgyz Republic to India appreciated India’s pivotal role in supporting the nation during the times of pandemic; it was one of the supplier for pharmacy. He mentioned that we have done some amendments in the airports and we are keen it will wider the possibilities to air connection. He discussed about that the connection between India and Kyrgyz Republic is in terms of cultural, diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people connection.
Glyn Hughes, Director General, The International Air Cargo Association mentioned that due to the pandemic, we have learned that collaboration and communication are the keys to the seamless running of the industry. We have also learned flexible working, leverage digital platforms, and innovation in increasing the cargo capacity. The future blueprint will focus on sustainability.
Sanjay Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in his presidential address deliberated about the importance of the aviation and cargo sector which played a pivotal role in being the engine of connectivity and enabler for growth worldwide for international trade.
Aggarwal deliberated about the challenges faced in the resuming of operations and the need to look at new growth parameters to revive itself, he discussed the new technologies that have seeped into airports that are dynamically changing the passenger travel experience.
The air cargo sector has been instrumental in the transportation of essential supplies worldwide. This industry is playing a crucial role in the transportation of the COVID-19 vaccine and there is a need to adapt infrastructure, processes, and resources to respond to huge global logistical challenges, Aggarwal said.
He emphasized that the civil aviation market is expected to see some surge with the availability of vaccines, people’s willingness to travel, and recovery in the macroeconomic growth of domestic air traffic.
Saket Dalmia, Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry while proposing the formal vote of thanks to all the delegates and participants, mentioned that government understands the critical nature of aviation and cargo.
Rajesh Arora, Chair, PHD Civil Aviation Committee mentioned that with the change in the pandemic scenario, there is a steady increase in the passenger traffic; successful international operations of the air bubble and Vande Bharat flights; robust performance of cargo business and regular coming back of business travel, there is the recovery in this industry. Some of the key learnings this industry has got amidst the pandemic are agility and flexibility management of situation and digitalization of service. He discussed the steps untaken by the government to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and help to bounce back.
The session was moderated by Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Deputy Secretary General, PHD Chamber, and was attended by many industry stalwarts. The summit has been supported by GMR, AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, Boeing, CELEBI, Continental Carriers Group, Kale Logistics, and Logistics Skill Council, media partner- Logistics Insider, Cargo Connect, and Travel Unleash.
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