By Bikram Vohra
Hyderabad is the landing field for the aviation industry in several ways as Wings India 2022 takes off March 24 to March 27, bringing together the like-minded from around the globe for debate, discussion and decision-making in both, the short and long term. While establishing itself as the largest civil aviation event in Asia it is also the opportunity to place India squarely on the map as an aviation hub. From a vastly improved MRO infrastructure to being the third fastest growing nation in terms of flying numbers to investing in the fleets of multiple carriers India has moved into the fast track.
This occasion is ear-marked for regional connectivity and India will be putting a special emphasis on this theme. This is a very important development and even if it goes well with the UDAN initiative of giving the average man on the street the option of taking a flight in an affordable format like he takes a bus or train the networking of airports opens up the interior. The introduction of every air route in the intermodal mix has a direct impact on prosperity, employment, increased efficiency of transportation of goods and business activity as well as encouraging human movement be it for work or pleasure. The more the airports and the more intricate the system the better, too, for the hospitality industry.
A UK report on regional connectivity underscores these points. “There is a strong link between air connectivity and economic growth and development. The need for connecting people and markets is part of national policies in different territories. The existence of remote areas, that is, those that under strict market criteria would not be transport supplied due to lack of commercial profitability, has led to the development of different public policies aimed to support air connectivity in regions where commercial airline operations are not viable.’
What will also be examined and discussed is the current emphasis on narrow-bodied long-distance options, the severe slowing down of the big aircraft, the impact of bizzjets and fractionals after a post covid boost, the next generation of power plants and the return of scheduled international flights while still maintaining vigilance.
This 4-day salute to the revival of aviation is a timely move by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) especially since the war clouds over Ukraine prompted the postponement of DefExpo 2022 scheduled as a mega-event in Gandhinagar, much to the disappointment of over 900 exhibitors. Wings India may not be as large, but it has over 150 participants with both Airbus and Boeing playing vital sponsorship roles with the former being the main supporter. This war will certainly hover in the minds of all the delegates and give them the impetus to import. For India, it then becomes vital to be the quintessential salesperson. Keeping in mind the fallout from the rising prices in oil adds immensely to the stress already hurting from covid these past two years.
That such a coming together is occurring is a testament to the grit and determination needed to get a fresh wind under the wings of civil aviation and get people back on flights. Equipment aside, these three or four days make for networking and establishing rapport. All too often deals made are broken or rust in their own glory because governments change, and the promise does not see fruition. When relationships are made, and old ties strengthened it all helps in giving the new incumbent accurate and ongoing advice rather than starting from scratch. So, more power to its success.
