India must stay vigilant amid West Asia tensions, aviation sector preparing response plans: Rammohan Naidu
New Delhi, May 20
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said India needs to remain vigilant amid the worsening geopolitical situation in West Asia, while asserting that the current developments are "not worrisome for India at present".
Speaking to reporters during his first visit to Ranchi, the minister said the government and key sectors, including aviation, were closely monitoring the evolving situation and preparing strategies to deal with any possible impact.
"The situation is not worrisome at present, but we need to remain alert. Every sector, including civil aviation, has to assess the impact and prepare short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies," Naidu said.
Addressing concerns over rising airfares amid global uncertainty, the minister said the Centre had already taken steps to prevent additional financial burden on passengers.
He noted that aviation turbine fuel prices, along with airport landing and parking charges, had been reduced to support airlines and maintain fare stability.
Naidu also referred to the recent decision of the Delhi Government to reduce value-added tax on aviation turbine fuel from 25 per cent to 7 per cent.
"Nearly five lakh passengers travel daily on domestic routes. We are continuously monitoring airfares. If demand rises, we will increase connectivity and deploy more aircraft," he said.
During his visit, the minister launched several passenger-centric initiatives at Birsa Munda Airport and announced that the modified version of the regional connectivity scheme, UDAN Scheme, would soon be rolled out with an estimated allocation of around Rs 29,000 crore.
He said the revised scheme aims to develop 100 new airports and 200 helipads over the next decade.
The government also plans to expand the "Udan Yatri Cafe" initiative across airports to provide affordable food options for travellers.
Emphasising the Centre's aviation roadmap, the minister said airport modernisation and improved connectivity with major Indian cities remained key priorities.
"In the last 10 years, airports, passengers and aircraft have doubled. From only 74 airports in 2014, the country now has 165. No other country saw such a boost in airports. This could be possible only through the PM's 'Hawai Chappal to Hawai Jahaj travel' mantra," he said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting to see India's aviation growth story. From 74 to 165 airports in 10 years is impressive by any global standard. Hope the UDAN scheme continues to connect smaller cities. Living in the US, I see how expensive regional flights can be – India seems to be getting this right with budget-friendly options.
The 'Hawai Chappal to Hawai Jahaj' line is catchy but let's be honest – air travel is still out of reach for many Indians. Reducing ATF tax and launching affordable cafes at airports is welcome, but we need more budget airlines and routes to truly democratize flying. Also, hope the West Asia situation doesn't spike fuel costs again. ✈️
With almost 5 lakh daily passengers, aviation is becoming crucial for our economy. The 100 new airports and 200 helipads plan is ambitious – hope they focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities too. My hometown in Bihar still has limited connectivity. Good that the minister is alert about West Asia but actions speak louder than words.
As someone who travels to India frequently for work, I notice the aviation improvements year after year. The modernization of airports and the UDAN scheme are commendable. However, the ongoing West Asia tensions are a genuine concern for global aviation – India's strategic location means it will be affected even if indirectly. Smart to prepare contingency plans now.
Reducing ATF tax is good, but what about airport charges? They keep increasing at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai. That's a major hidden cost for passengers. And regarding West Asia – we have millions of Indians working there. Their safety should
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