India hosts aviation power meet
TDT | Manama
India's emergence as a global aviation force is taking centre stage this weekend as it plays host to one of the airline industry's most significant events— the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)..
Scheduled from June 1st to 3rd in New Delhi, the event marks the return of IATA's flagship summit to Indian soil after a 42-year gap, last held in India in 1983.
Record attendance
More than 1,700 delegates, including top airline CEOs, government officials, and global media, are attending the AGM, which is being hosted by India's leading carrier, IndiGo. India's Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, signalling high-level national endorsement of the gathering.
'We are excited to bring the IATA AGM to India after a 42-year gap,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. 'India's place in global aviation has changed dramatically. The country has seen record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments.'
IndiGo in the lead
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who also chairs the IATA Board of Governors, noted that the summit reflects India's growing influence in global aviation. He said aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide and that this is particularly evident in India. IndiGo, he added, is proud to invite the IATA AGM back to India and showcase the country's rapid progress in the sector.
India's aviation industry directly employs over 369,000 people and contributes $5.6 billion to the economy. When factoring in indirect, induced, and tourism impacts, the sector supports 7.7 million jobs and adds $53.6 billion to GDP—roughly 1.5 percent of the national total.
Summit agenda
The AGM will be followed by the World Air Transport Summit (WATS), where major global themes will be discussed, including the financial outlook for airlines, India's strategic use of aviation for development, and the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Discussions will also focus on financing the journey to net zero and innovations in payment systems.
CNN's Richard Quest will moderate the summit's CEO Panel featuring Pieter Elbers of IndiGo, Joanna Geraghty of JetBlue, Adrian Neuhauser of Abra Group, and Richard Smith of FedEx.
Progress and inclusion
A highlight of the event will be the sixth edition of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards, which honour efforts to advance gender balance in the industry as part of the 25by2025 initiative.
Willie Walsh said the AGM is always a moment for the industry to reflect and regroup in the face of enormous economic, geopolitical, and technological forces. He expressed confidence that the gathering would deliver value to stakeholders and strengthen global collaboration.
As global attention turns to India's aviation trajectory, the AGM in New Delhi signals not just a return, but a recognition of the country's new role as a global aviation hub.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Trade Arabia
10 hours ago
- Trade Arabia
Middle East air passenger numbers to soar to 530m in 2043
Middle East air passenger numbers will double, reaching 530 million in 2043 with traffic growing at an average annual rate of 3.9% over the 2023 – 2043 period, it was revealed at the IATA AGM. At a press conference to discuss Middle East performance, it was noted that the year to date demand for Middle East, which compares January to April 2025 with January to April 2024, was up 6% in line with global average. The YTD cargo performance for Middle East reflects some challenges – it was down 5.3% MEAN Safety The global accident rate in 2024 was 1.13 per million sectors, up from 1.09 in 2023. That means just over one accident for every million flights. While still below the 5-year average of 1.25, the slight uptick is a reminder that safety progress is not guaranteed — and must be actively defended. Middle East and North Africa (MENA) saw a positive trend: the all-accident rate dropped from 1.12 in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024. This improvement, although modest, reflects efforts to strengthen oversight, standardize procedures, and invest in safety culture. Continued collaboration between regulators, airlines, and ground operations teams is essential to sustain this momentum, it was highlighted at the press conference. Aviation in Middle East is not developing evenly Overall, the Middle East is doing well in aviation. But the reality is that the region is not developing evenly, it was noted. Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon have resulted in prolonged airspace closures and significant disruption to flight operations. These conditions have weakened aviation infrastructure, eroded investor confidence, and limited access to critical markets. Overflight restrictions, particularly around Iranian and Syrian airspace, have forced airlines to reroute — raising fuel consumption, increasing emissions, and extending flight times. Conflict zones also hinder intra-regional connectivity, slowing economic integration and impeding the mobility of people and goods—especially in countries that would benefit most from enhanced air access. Sanctions limit access to aircraft, parts, and finance—isolating some carriers from the global aviation system and hindering safety and growth. While aviation has shown remarkable resilience amid political uncertainty, its full potential is unlocked in environments that are stable, peaceful, and open to international engagement, it was highlighted. Economic Disparity The region contains some of the world's richest and poorest countries, with stark gaps in aviation capacity and investment, the conference noted. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have built world-class hubs and fleets with strong government backing. However, in contrast, lower-income countries like Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria face declining infrastructure, underfunded civil aviation authorities, and outdated fleets. A coordinated regional approach is essential to narrow the gap, it felt. Regulatory harmonisation is a priority for the Middle East region, the conference stressed, pointing out the following factors: • No unified air transport market in the Middle East: There is currently no overarching framework allowing airlines to operate seamlessly across the Middle East. A more coordinated approach could enhance connectivity, efficiency, and economic integration. • Fair and proportionate consumer protection regulations: Smart regulation that follows global best practices and industry standards is essential for aviation to thrive. Ineffective consumer legislation from Europe and the United States should not be imported. Consumer protection regulations must be fair and proportionate. • Enhancing maintenance and safety oversight: Differences in national regulations for MRO operations mean that certifications obtained in one country may not be recognized in another. This lack of mutual recognition creates barriers for MRO providers seeking to operate across multiple Middle Eastern countries, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. • Cost-effective and timely investment in infrastructure through smart regulations: Airport and infrastructure development is guided by diverse economic regulation models. A regionally informed approach could help ensure infrastructure is cost-effective, scalable, and airline-friendly. A regulatory framework that balances ambition with economic sustainability is key. An example is Saudi Arabia's aviation transformation strategy which is driven by growth without overburdening operators. There are varying degrees of prioritisation of aviation in the Middle East. A unified and collaborative approach will support in bridging the gap between countries and strengthen the region's role in aviation, it said. According to the conference five priority areas to address are: 1. Evolve towards a more integrated air transport market: Foster greater regional collaboration on air service agreements to improve connectivity, reduce fragmentation, and enable more flexible route development. 2. Fair and proportionate consumer protection regulations: Work towards a consistent baseline that follows ICAO principles, global industry best practices and standards of passenger rights across the region—ensuring travelers experience fair, transparent treatment no matter where they fly. 3. Advancing cost-effective and timely investment in infrastructure through smart regulations: Promote infrastructure development that is cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with long-term traffic growth — ensuring airports and air navigation services remain accessible and affordable. 4. Enhance maintenance and safety oversight: Encourage mutual recognition of maintenance standards, training, and certifications to ensure consistent safety and support airline efficiency across borders.
Daily Tribune
11 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Victory for buyers : Consumers reclaim BD290,000 over past two years through complaints system
TDT | Manama The Ministry of Industry and Commerce recovered BD290,000 for consumers over the past two years, while arranging replacements worth BD75,000, according to a written reply from Minister His Excellency Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro to MP Dr Muneer Seroor. The figures cover 2023 and 2024, during which the ministry's Consumer Protection Directorate received 7,868 complaints in the first year and 7,153 in the second. A further 1,302 complaints were registered between January and March this year. Most cases concerned faulty electrical goods and vehicle-related issues. Fakhro noted that complaints fell by roughly 9 per cent in 2024. Goods and services That year, more than BD120,000 was recovered for consumers, while goods and services worth over BD45,000 were replaced. In 2023, the recovered amount exceeded BD170,000, with replacements totalling more than BD30,000. By law, the ministry has up to 60 working days to examine a complaint. However, the directorate typically contacts both the complainant and the business within three days to assess the issue and determine the next step. Working days Resolution times vary. Most complaints are dealt with within 15 working days. Around 42 per cent are completed within one week 19 per cent within eight to fifteen days 15 per cent within sixteen to thirty days 12 per cent are resolved on the same day they are received The directorate may also refer cases to the courts when necessary. In both 2023 and 2024, 212 complaints were handed to the Public Prosecution. In 2023, six shops were shut down by administrative order. Arrangements To reduce delays, the ministry signed service level agreements with eight commercial entities that frequently attract complaints. These arrangements led to a 35 per cent reduction in average handling times for those firms. As for cases that take longer, Fakhro said the directorate follows a graduated process. Staff first attempt to broker a settlement between the parties. Failing that, the matter proceeds through formal steps: an initial letter, a notice, a final warning, and then a binding decision. If the business fails to comply, the case is referred to prosecutors.
Trade Arabia
14 hours ago
- Trade Arabia
$1.3bn in airline funds blocked by govts: IATA
Airline funds worth about $1.3 billion are blocked from repatriation by governments as of end April 2025, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA). This is a significant amount, although it is an improvement of 25% compared with the $1.7 billion reported for October 2024, it said. IATA urged governments to remove all barriers preventing airlines from the timely repatriation of their revenues from ticket sales and other activities in accordance with international agreements and treaty obligations. "Ensuring the timely repatriation of revenues is vital for airlines to cover dollar-denominated expenses and maintain their operations. Delays and denials violate bilateral agreements and increase exchange rate risks. Reliable access to revenues is critical for any business—particularly airlines which operate on very thin margins. Economies and jobs rely on international connectivity. Governments must realize that it is a challenge for airlines to maintain connectivity when revenue repatriation is denied or delayed,' said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General. Ten countries are responsible for 80% of blocked funds, it said. Pakistan and Bangladesh, previously in the top five blocked funds countries, have made notable progress in clearing their backlog to $83 million and $92 million, respectively (from $311 million and $196 million in October 2024, respectively). Mozambique has climbed up to the top of blocked funds countries, withholding $205 million from airlines, compared with $127 million in October 2024. The Africa and Middle East (AME) region accounts for 85% of total blocked funds, at $1.1 billion as of end April 2025.
