The Minister of Civil Aviation, Jitendra Singh, has outlined significant plans for the rapid growth of India's aviation sector over the next decade. Speaking after the virtual inauguration of the HAP Airframe Fabrication Facility and NaviMet, he emphasized the vital role played by institutions like the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in supporting government initiatives through strong private-sector participation.
Singh highlighted the substantial increase in the number of airports—from approximately 70 in 2014 to over 130 today—and the corresponding rise in aircraft and pilot requirements. It is projected that by 2027, India will handle around six crore passengers annually, necessitating the addition of several thousand pilots and aircraft to accommodate expanding routes and passenger volume.
He discussed ongoing projects in aircraft development, including the manufacturing of the SARAS Mk II aircraft and high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles. Singh referenced the recent progress of the Hansa-3 trainer aircraft technology transfer and applauded the efforts of NAL and industry partners such as Solar Defence and Taneja Aerospace & Aviation Ltd. to achieve these milestones. These advances are aligned with the government's goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reducing reliance on foreign technology and fostering local aerospace industries.
Singh also spoke about the importance of public outreach through media and social media channels, advocating for a creative communication team to enhance visibility and knowledge dissemination. He expressed confidence that with ongoing collaboration and increased manufacturing, India will meet its ambitious targets of expanding its aviation infrastructure, aircraft fleet, and skilled pilot base, thus positioning the country as a major player in the global aerospace sector.
