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Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Modi's soaring Indian aviation ambitions face many headwinds
FILE PHOTO: The IATA logo is displayed during the annual International Air Transport Association (IATA) meeting in New Delhi, India, June 2, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile attendance at a global airlines conference this week underscores how much India is banking on a boom in aviation to support wider development goals, but headwinds to its ambitions are gathering force. Undeterred by the uncertainty gripping the aviation sector globally due to trade tensions and shaky consumer confidence, India's biggest airlines are ploughing ahead with orders for new planes, following record deals two years ago. However, the rapid pace of growth risks losing steam if plane shortages, infrastructure challenges and taxation issues are not addressed, industry officials warned at the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting. Hostilities with neighbour Pakistan are also causing Indian airlines to take large, expensive detours around Pakistani airspace, requiring more fuel and passenger care. Carriers have asked the Indian government to waive some fees and provide tax exemptions, people familiar with the matter have told Reuters, but it is not clear if it will provide any help, despite its high-flying rhetoric. New Delhi says it wants India to be a job-creating global aviation hub along the lines of Dubai, which currently handles much of India's international traffic. "In the coming years, the aviation sector is expected to be at the centre of massive transformation and innovation, and India is ready to embrace these possibilities," Modi told global aviation leaders on Monday. But the transformation will require billions of dollars of investment in airports and industry supply chains, and a revamp of regulations, industry officials said. PUNCHING BELOW ITS WEIGHT The numbers look promising. IATA forecasts passenger traffic in India will triple over the next 20 years and the country has set a target of increasing the number of airports to as many as 400 by 2047, up from 157 in 2024. "We are fast emerging as a strategic connector country ... India is a natural connector of the skies and aviation as well," India's Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told global airline CEOs in New Delhi. Already the world's third-largest aviation market by seats after the U.S. and China, there is significant potential for India to grow. The world's most populous nation, India accounts for around 17.8% of people but only 4.2% of global air passengers, according to IATA. A record 174 million Indian domestic and international passengers flew in 2024, compared to 730 million in China, IATA data shows. "The outlook is potentially a very positive one for both the Indian economy and air transport industry. However, such outcomes are not guaranteed," IATA said in a report on the Indian market. Industry executives and analysts said more work lies ahead in scaling aviation-related infrastructure, updating rules, lowering taxes and making life easier for airlines. "Even the regulators will agree that they need to update their regulation, because there is a reason why India is not punching above its weight. In fact, it is punching very much below its weight," Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Subhas Menon said. Dubai-based Emirates, for example, says capacity restrictions on foreign airlines need to be relaxed for the industry to reach its full growth potential. "For every seat we offer, particularly in the peaks, we've got three to 10 people trying to get it," Emirates President Tim Clark told reporters. Among other problems, India lacks enough domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities to care for its fleet, making it overly dependent on foreign shops at a time of stiff competition for repair slots, particularly for engines. Global airlines have aircraft sitting on the ground because there aren't enough facilities available for servicing them, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said. "I think airframe maintenance is a huge opportunity for India because you require labour and you require skills. And that's something that I know India is investing in," Walsh said, in response to a Reuters question at a press conference. Airline growth globally is being tempered by extended delays to deliveries of new, more fuel-efficient planes due to supply chain issues. India's largest airline IndiGo has been leasing aircraft to allow it to expand internationally while it waits for new planes. This week it partnered with Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Delta to extend the reach of IndiGo tickets using those airlines' networks. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Mumbai eliminate Gujarat to keep alive IPL final hopes
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 30, 2025 Mumbai Indians' Jonny Bairstow and Rohit Sharma walk out before the start of their innings REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 30, 2025 Gujarat Titans' Kusal Mendis in action REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 30, 2025 Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar, Hardik Pandya and teammates celebrate after the match REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 30, 2025 Gujarat Titans' Shahrukh Khan walks after losing his wicket off the bowling of Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar as Gujarat Titans' Rahul Tewatia reacts REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Eliminator - Gujarat Titans v Mumbai Indians - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 30, 2025 Mumbai Indians' Jasprit Bumrah and Jonny Bairstow celebrate the wicket of Gujarat Titans' Kusal Mendis REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis NEW DELHI - Powerhouse Mumbai Indians kept alive their hopes of reaching the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 20-run victory against Gujarat Titans in the eliminator of the 10-team league on Friday. Electing to bat, Mumbai racked up a commanding 228-5 after their frontline batters hit a combined 17 sixes. Gujarat managed 208-6 in reply despite defiant knocks by opener Sai Sudharshan (80) and all-rounder Washington Sundar (48). Five-time champions Mumbai will play Punjab Kings on Sunday for a place in Tuesday's final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya elected to bat, Jonny Bairstow, replacing Ryan Rickelton, smashed 47 off 22 balls in his first match of the season in a blistering opening stand of 84 with Rohit Sharma. Rohit, dropped twice early in his knock, struck 81 to punish Gujarat. Suryakumar Yadav (33), Tilak Varma (25) and Pandya (22 not out) produced whirlwind cameos to take Mumbai past the 200-mark. The chase was steep and Gujarat stuttered early in their reply losing skipper Shubman Gill trapped lbw by Trent Boult in the opening over of the innings. Kusal Mendis (20) fell hit wicket but Sudharsan, the tournament's leading scorer, revived Gujarat's chase with his sixth fifty of the tournament. He found an able ally in Sundar who smashed Boult for back-to-back sixes to turn the pressure back on Mumbai. Pandya brought back Jasprit Bumrah and the pace bowler slipped in a yorker between Sundar's legs to flatten his leg stump. South African Richard Gleeson bowled Sudharsan as Mumbai reclaimed control of the contest through their seamers. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Kohli closer to maiden IPL title as Bengaluru storm into final
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Qualifier 1 - Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 29, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli during the match REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Qualifier 1 - Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 29, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Josh Hazlewood celebrates with Virat Kohli after taking the wicket of Punjab Kings' Shreyas Iyer, caught out by Jitesh Sharma REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Qualifier 1 - Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New Chandigarh, India - May 29, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates after Suyash Sharma takes the wicket of Punjab Kings' Shashank Singh REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis NEW DELHI - Virat Kohli inched closer to a maiden Indian Premier League title after Royal Challengers Bengaluru thrashed Punjab Kings by eight wickets in a lopsided qualifier to reach the final of the 10-team tournament on Thursday. A superlative performance by their bowlers left Bengaluru needing only 102 to make Sunday's final and they reached the target in just 10 overs with opener Phil Salt, who made 56 not out, leading the charge. Punjab can still make the final if they can win the second qualifier against the winner of Friday's eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. Kohli made 12 but has been Bengaluru's leading scorer this season. The former India captain has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league. Bengaluru reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016 but were beaten on all three occasions. "It's a great feeling right now," Salt said. "Obviously we had a second bite at the cherry but it's such a good feeling to get that out of the way first time. "It just gives us that momentum. It's such a cliche but it's so true at the back end of the tournament." Bengaluru have looked formidable this season and electing to field, their fiery pace attack, led by a returning Josh Hazlewood, bundled out Punjab in 14.1 overs. Having recovered from a shoulder niggle, Hazlewood led Bengaluru's superb pace display as they reduced Punjab to 71-7 at the halfway stage of their innings. Hazlewood's (3-21) victims included rival skipper Shreyas Iyer, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed the important wicket of Prabhsimran Singh, Punjab's leading scorer this season. Marcus Stoinis made 26 before losing his stumps to leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who claimed 3-17 in his three overs. Kyle Jamieson removed Kohli in the fourth over but Bengaluru raced to 61-1 in their six powerplay overs, compared to Punjab's 48-4, with Salt hitting boundaries almost at will. Salt took 23 balls to bring up his fifty and skipper Rajat Patidar hit a six to seal Bengaluru's victory in a match that lasted only 24.1 overs. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Indian travel firms report drop in Turkey bookings over Pakistan support
FILE PHOTO: Passengers wait at Terminal 2 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, July 1, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo BENGALURU - Indians are cancelling holidays in popular resorts in Turkey and Azerbaijan after the countries supported Pakistan during its recent conflict with New Delhi, two booking firms said. Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after a deadly attack in Indian ashmir last month that New Delhi said was backed by Islamabad. Pakistan denied involvement, but intense fighting broke out when India struck what it said were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan last week. They agreed a ceasefire on Saturday which has largely held. Turkey and Azerbaijan, popular budget holiday destinations for Indians, issued statements backing Islamabad after India's strikes. "Bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey decreasing by 60% (over the last week) while cancellations have surged by 250% during the same period," a spokesperson for MakeMyTrip said. EaseMyTrip's Chief Executive Officer, Rikant Pittie, said the platform had seen a 22% rise in cancellations for Turkey and 30% for Azerbaijan "due to recent geopolitical tensions". Travellers had switched to Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand and Vietnam, he added. Another ticketing platform, ixigo, earlier said in a post on X that it would be suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkey, Azerbaijan and China. EaseMyTrip's founder and chairman Nishant Pitti said in a post on X that 287,000 Indians visited Turkey last year and 243,000 visited Azerbaijan. "When these nations openly support Pakistan, should we fuel their tourism and their economies?" Pitti said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
The latest developments in the India-Pakistan conflict
Security personnel stand outside the gate of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, India, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis NEW DELHI - India struck multiple locations in Pakistan this week after a deadly April 22 attack targeting Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir that New Delhi blames on its Muslim neighbour. Pakistan, which denies any link to the Kashmir violence, said on Thursday it shot down 25 drones from India overnight. India said it "neutralised" Pakistani attempts to strike military targets with drones and missiles. Here is a look at the current situation as conflict spreads between the nuclear-armed neighbours. WHERE DID INDIA'S FIRST STRIKES HIT? India says it hit nine "terrorist camps" in Pakistan on Wednesday that were used as indoctrination centres, training areas and launch-pads for attacks. Some of them, it says, were linked to the perpetrators of last month's assault. Pakistan said the Indian attacks hit six locations in its territory, none of them militant camps. HOW HAS PAKISTAN REACTED? Pakistan says it shot down five Indian aircraft during those first strikes. The Indian embassy in Beijing said reports of fighter jets being shot down were "misinformation". Pakistan vowed to retaliate at a "time, place and manner of its choosing". The military said on Thursday India will continue to "pay dearly for this naked aggression". India says any military attack against it will be met with a "firm response". WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION? Cross-border firing and shelling increased after India's first strikes, then tapered off. Pakistan says India is sending drones into its airspace, 25 of which were shot down overnight, including some over its largest cities of Karachi and Lahore. India said it had targeted some air defence systems in Pakistan, and that it had "neutralised" attempts by Pakistan to "engage" military targets in its north and west. WHAT HAVE OTHER COUNTRIES SAID? Global leaders have called for restraint. U.S. President Donald Trump said he hoped the countries would "work it out" and that he "will be there" if he can help. The United Nations called for "maximum military restraint", saying the world could not afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT CASUALTIES? Pakistan says 31 of its civilians were killed in the Indian strikes and the cross-border violence that followed. India says 16 civilians have died on its side of the border. Both countries have organised blackout drills in border areas, and panic-buying has been reported in parts of India's northern border state of Punjab. People living along the de-facto border in India's Jammu and Kashmir have also been asked to move to safer places. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
