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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
After 1958 and 1983, IATA returns to India for third AGM as aviation industry takes flight again
IATA's 81st AGM in Delhi marks India's third time hosting, following events in 1958 and 1983. The 1958 AGM addressed technological challenges of the jet age, while the 1983 meeting focused on fare wars and security threats. NEW DELHI: "The freedom with which we can move this large assembly from Madrid one year to New Delhi the next and then on to Tokyo and the speed with which we can call delegates in from all corners of the world within a few days dramatises the services which we (airlines) offer to the general public. " That was Indian aviation pioneer, J R D Tata addressing the media in 1958 and the ``large assembly'' he referred to comprised the 250 delegates attending the International Air Transport Association (IATA) annual general meeting (AGM). Back then IATA had only 86 members, its delegates flew in from around the world, some likely taking days to reach India to attend the five-day AGM held in October. On Sunday, IATA's 81 st AGM began in Delhi and the ``large assembly'' now comprises about 1700 delegates, including officials from the 350 member airlines. This is the third time that India is hosting the IATA annual general meeting (AGM), the first in 1958 and then in 1983, both the events inaugurated by the then prime ministers, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi . Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver a keynote address on Monday evening. What were the topics that made headlines in the two earlier events held in India? TOI digs into its archives to look back at the IATA AGMs and the global airline industry in 1958 and 1983. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Férias chegando? Azul Compre já Undo A look at the past IATA AGMs gives a glimpse of the global airline industry's journey over the decades. The overwhelming theme of the 1958 AGM event was the technological challenges as airlines stood on the cusp of the jet age. A year earlier, in December, Boeing 707, the jet pioneer, had made its first flight. At the IATA AGM the airlines decided to continue to ''pool their expert knowledge and experience" for safe jet operations. Two year later, Tata's Air India took the delioof its first Boeing 707 and became the first airline in Asia to induct a jet in its fleet. Today, Indian carriers have a combined fleet of over 860 aircraft, majority of them jets. Another resolution passed in the 1958 AGM was about airspace control. Airline members decided that they would approach their respective governments to formulate a system under which both military and civil aviation aircraft navigate under the guidance of a single air traffic control authority in the respective air traffic control areas. In the 1980s, the major concern for IATA member airlines was ``undercutting of fares' and the recession in the US which dampened demand for air travel. New reports from the Times of India archives state that in 1982, IATA member airlines had lost an estimated $ 1.2 billion due to undercutting. In 1978, the US Congress passed the Airline Deregulation Act which allowed airlines to set their own fares and decide their routes. It increased competition as new players entered the market and in the 1980s the fare wars intensified as airlines undercut each other's fares to fill the seats. US was the world's biggest airline market and the accumulated losses of IATA member airlines from 1979 to 1982 stood at $ 6 billion, according to a TOI report published in October 1983. But in other parts of the world, the main cause of concern was airline security, the terror threats, bombings and hijackings that had hit the airline industry back then. In her inaugural address, the then prime minister Indira Gandhi spoke of the need to make air travel safe for passengers. She asked for stern measures against "the heinous crime of hijacking". It was a tough year for airlines. In March, a Balkan Bulgarian Airlines flight was hijacked, but the controversy that hijacked the October annual general meeting of IATA involved the bombing of a Korean Air Lines flight on September 1. The crew of a Korean Boeing 747 from New York to Seoul made a navigation error, went off the planned route into the Soviet airspace where it was intercepted and shot down by the pilot of a Soviet Sukhoi aircraft, killing all the 269 on board. About a year after her speech against terrorism, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in June 1985, 329 passengers and crew died in the bombing of Air India flight 182 by Canadian Sikh militants. India's anti-apartheid stance also made news in the 1983 IATA AGM. Back in 1946, India had imposed a complete embargo on South Africa and so the presence of delegates from IATA member airlines, South African Airways and Israeli carrier El Al at the IATA event held in India had made news. Israel was targeted for continuing its relationship with South Africa. Back then in 1983, IATA had 124 member airlines. Knut Hammarskjöld was IATA's director general back then. The Swedish diplomat launched the first billing and settlement system in Tokyo in 1972, which later evolved into the successful BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) and CASS (Cargo Accounts Settlement System), facilitating financial transactions between passenger as well as cargo agents and the airlines. Today, Indian carriers have over 1300 aircraft on order, its aviation industry directly employs 369,700 people and generates $5.6 billion of GDP. When indirect, induced, and tourism impacts are included, the totals rise to 7.7 million jobs and $53.6 billion of GDP (1.5%). Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General said: 'India's place in global aviation has changed dramatically, particularly over the last decade. The country saw record aircraft orders, impressive growth, and world-class infrastructure developments. The AGM will allow aviation leaders and journalists from around the world to witness first-hand how India's rapidly modernising and expanding aviation sector is contributing to the country's overall economic and social development'. Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors said: 'Aviation is a powerful force for good worldwide, and that is particularly evident in India. India's aviation market is rapidly thriving while significantly contributing to the country's socio-economic growth, and IndiGo is at the forefront of this upward trajectory. This is India's time!' The World Air Transport Summit (WATS), which follows immediately after the AGM, will address key issues facing the aviation industry. 'The AGM is always a moment for the industry to reflect and regroup in the face of enormous economic, geopolitical, and technological forces ahead,' said Walsh. 'I'm confident this gathering will deliver value to our stakeholders and strengthen our commitment to progress and collaboration. ' Key topics to be addressed in the WATS include the financial outlook for the airline industry, how India is strategically using aviation to drive development, the relationship between energy security, renewable energy, and Sustainable Aviation Fuel production, financing aviation net zero, and the cost of payment and potential innovations.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP's Jitendra Singh takes dig at Revanth Reddy's PoK remarks: ‘Hilarious'
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday took a jibe at the remarks made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding India taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) if Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was the Prime Minister, stating that it was "hilarious". He asserted that PoK exists today due to decisions made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who held him responsible for both the partition of the nation and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is hilarious if any Congress leader says that if Rahul Gandhi were the PM of India, the PoK would have been India's part. But the fact is that had Rahul Gandhi's great maternal grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, not been the PM of India, the PoJK would not have been (in existence) today. It is the result of his actions that first, the nation was divided, then Jammu and Kashmir was divided," Singh told ANI. "We must not forget that when the India-Pakistan war was going on, and our forces were in a situation to win the PoK back, it was the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru who declared a unilateral ceasefire on the Akashvani without consulting with anyone," he added. Singh's remarks came in response to statements made by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, who said that if Rahul Gandhi had been the Prime Minister, India would have taken back PoK. He was speaking at an event that raised questions on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a ceasefire to the recent military operations against Pakistan without consulting political parties, even though an all-party meeting was held before military strikes began. "Why was no all-party meeting called to seek the opinions of all the parties before declaring a ceasefire?" asked Reddy on Thursday while participating in Congress 'Jai Hind Yatra' in Nizampet, Hyderabad. Addressing the event, Reddy called PM Modi an "expired rupee". He said, "Modi is expired rupee, Modi is like a 1000 rupees' invalid note. Today, this country needs Rahul Gandhi's leadership. If a leader like Rahul Gandhi would have been Prime Minister of this country, then he would have taken (former PM) Indira Gandhi as inspiration and would have walked in Kaali's (Maata) way and would have made Pakistan into two parts and would have taken PoK back." Reddy drew comparisons with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership and her decisive action against China and Pakistan, including the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Hillarious": BJP's Jitendra Singh Takes Dig At Revanth Reddy's PoK Remarks
Jammu: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday took a jibe at the remarks made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding India taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) if Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was the Prime Minister, stating that it was "hilarious". He asserted that PoK exists today due to decisions made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who held him responsible for both the partition of the nation and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. "It is hilarious if any Congress leader says that if Rahul Gandhi were the PM of India, the PoK would have been India's part. But the fact is that had Rahul Gandhi's great maternal grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, not been the PM of India, the PoJK would not have been (in existence) today. It is the result of his actions that first, the nation was divided, then Jammu and Kashmir was divided," Mr Singh told ANI. "We must not forget that when the India-Pakistan war was going on, and our forces were in a situation to win the PoK back, it was the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru who declared a unilateral ceasefire on the Akashvani without consulting with anyone," he added. Mr Singh's remarks came in response to statements made by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, who said that if Rahul Gandhi had been the Prime Minister, India would have taken back PoK. He was speaking at an event that raised questions on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a ceasefire to the recent military operations against Pakistan without consulting political parties, even though an all-party meeting was held before military strikes began. "Why was no all-party meeting called to seek the opinions of all the parties before declaring a ceasefire?" asked Mr Reddy on Thursday while participating in Congress 'Jai Hind Yatra' in Nizampet, Hyderabad. Addressing the event, Mr Reddy called PM Modi an "expired rupee". He said, "Modi is expired rupee, Modi is like a 1000 rupees' invalid note. Today, this country needs Rahul Gandhi's leadership. If a leader like Rahul Gandhi would have been Prime Minister of this country, then he would have taken (former PM) Indira Gandhi as inspiration and would have walked in Kaali's (Maata) way and would have made Pakistan into two parts and would have taken PoK back." Mr Reddy drew comparisons with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership and her decisive action against China and Pakistan, including the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Hillarious": BJP's Jitendra Singh takes dig at Revanth Reddy's PoK remarks
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 31 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday took a jibe at the remarks made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding India taking back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) if Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi was the Prime Minister, stating that it was 'hilarious'. He asserted that PoK exists today due to decisions made by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who held him responsible for both the partition of the nation and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. 'It is hilarious if any Congress leader says that if Rahul Gandhi were the PM of India, the PoK would have been India's part. But the fact is that had Rahul Gandhi's great maternal grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, not been the PM of India, the PoJK would not have been (in existence) today. It is the result of his actions that first, the nation was divided, then Jammu and Kashmir was divided,' Singh told ANI. 'We must not forget that when the India-Pakistan war was going on, and our forces were in a situation to win the PoK back, it was the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru who declared a unilateral ceasefire on the Akashvani without consulting with anyone,' he added. Singh's remarks came in response to statements made by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, who said that if Rahul Gandhi had been the Prime Minister, India would have taken back PoK. He was speaking at an event that raised questions on why Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a ceasefire to the recent military operations against Pakistan without consulting political parties, even though an all-party meeting was held before military strikes began. 'Why was no all-party meeting called to seek the opinions of all the parties before declaring a ceasefire?' asked Reddy on Thursday while participating in Congress 'Jai Hind Yatra' in Nizampet, Hyderabad. Addressing the event, Reddy called PM Modi an 'expired rupee'. He said, 'Modi is expired rupee, Modi is like a 1000 rupees' invalid note. Today, this country needs Rahul Gandhi's leadership. If a leader like Rahul Gandhi would have been Prime Minister of this country, then he would have taken (former PM) Indira Gandhi as inspiration and would have walked in Kaali's (Maata) way and would have made Pakistan into two parts and would have taken PoK back.' Reddy drew comparisons with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership and her decisive action against China and Pakistan, including the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. (ANI)
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Hilarious…': BJP Jibes At Revanth Reddy's ‘Rahul Gandhi Would've Taken PoK Back' Remark
Last Updated: Union Minister Jitendra Singh dubbed Revanth Reddy's remarks 'hilarious' and said PoK would have existed "had Jawaharlal Nehru not been the PM of India". The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday hit out at Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over his remark that 'had Rahul Gandhi been the prime minister, India would have taken PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) back". Union Minister Jitendra Singh dubbed his remarks 'hilarious" and said PoK would have existed 'had Jawaharlal Nehru not been the PM of India". 'It is hilarious if any Congress leader says that if Rahul Gandhi was the PM of India, the PoK would have been India's part. But the fact is that had Rahul Gandhi's great maternal grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, not been the PM of India, the PoK would not have been today. It is the result of his actions that first, the nation was divided, then Jammu and Kashmir was divided…" Singh said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Jammu | Union Minister Jitendra Singh says, 'It is hilarious if any Congress leader says that if Rahul Gandhi was the PM of India, the PoK would have been India's part. But the fact is that had Rahul Gandhi's great maternal grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, not been… — ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2025 He further blamed the former prime minister for declaring a ceasefire during the war with Pakistan. 'We must not forget that when the India-Pakistan war was going on, and our forces were in a situation to win the PoK back, it was the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru who declared a unilateral ceasefire on the Akashvani without consulting with anyone…" Singh said. 'Modi is expired rupee, Modi is like a 1000 rupees' invalid note. Today, this country needs Rahul Gandhi's leadership. If a leader like Rahul Gandhi would have been Prime Minister of this country, then he would have taken (former PM) Indira Gandhi as inspiration and would have walked in Kaali's (Maata) way and would have made Pakistan into two parts and would have taken PoK back," Reddy had said. Reddy drew comparisons with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's leadership and her decisive action against China and Pakistan, including the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Reddy said, 'Indira Gandhi's grandson Rahul Gandhi should become the Prime Minister of this country. Only if he becomes PM, he'll defeat Pakistan on one side and China on the other side and uphold our self-respect." (With inputs from agencies) First Published:
