New Delhi: The 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation (APMC) commenced today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, leading the inauguration. The event brought together Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano, and Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Vumlunmang Vualnam, alongside Directors General and delegates from 29 Asia-Pacific countries.
In his address, Rammohan Naidu expressed appreciation for ICAO’s unwavering support and congratulated the organization on its 80th anniversary. He highlighted the conference’s role in fostering a unified vision for a more connected, resilient, and robust aviation landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. The Union Minister underscored the region’s potential to become the largest aviation market by 2035, with over 3.5 billion passengers annually, and called for strategic investments and collaboration to support sustainable growth.
A notable highlight of the conference was Rammohan Naidu’s nomination as Chairman of APMC, following recommendations from Singapore and Bhutan. Mr. Viliame Rogoibuli Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation of Fiji, was nominated as Vice Chairman with support from the Solomon Islands and Nepal.
The Union Minister spotlighted India’s rapid advancements in aviation infrastructure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He noted that India’s number of operational airports has surged from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024, with plans to expand to 350-400 by 2047. Domestic air passenger numbers have more than doubled in the past decade, with significant fleet expansions by Indian airlines. Naidu also highlighted the successful Regional Connectivity Model through the UDAN scheme, which has introduced 583 new regional routes and aims to integrate helicopters, seaplanes, and widebody aircraft.
Emphasizing the three pillars of aviation—Infrastructure, Integration, and Innovation—Rammohan Naidu showcased India’s efforts in adopting modern technologies such as Digi Yatra, a biometric tool for seamless travel, and regulatory advancements in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. He also discussed the Drone Didi Yojna, which trains women to operate drones for agricultural and other uses, contributing to economic growth and job creation.
The Minister highlighted India’s focus on fostering a conducive business environment for aviation through policies supporting Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, aircraft leasing, and indigenous manufacturing. New MRO Guidelines and the allowance of 100% FDI through the automatic route are key steps towards establishing India as a global aviation hub.
Naidu reaffirmed India’s commitment to safe and secure air travel, calling for greater regional collaboration to uphold aviation safety standards and improve navigation systems. He also advocated for increased adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and energy-efficient airport infrastructure, citing India’s goal to blend SAF with jet fuel and the success of carbon-neutral airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Cochin.
In his remarks, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, celebrated the conference as a major event for the Asia-Pacific aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation in ensuring the sector’s sustainable future.
Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam welcomed the gathering, reflecting on the 80-year journey of ICAO and the potential for growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano expressed gratitude to the Government of India for hosting the conference, marking ICAO’s 80th anniversary and underscoring the importance of addressing new challenges in global aviation. He emphasized the need for collaboration to close gaps and ensure sustainable growth in the aviation sector, while highlighting ICAO’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.