EU-India Aviation Summit Focuses On Cooperation & Sustainability

New Delhi witnessed the commencement of the two-day EU-India Aviation Summit today, which aims to strengthen aviation ties between the two regions. The summit's agenda encompasses a wide range of topics, including the post-COVID recovery of air traffic, increasing sustainability, maintaining safety, and developing unmanned aircraft systems.

Signing of Declarations and Memorandums

During the summit, the Airport Authority of India signed a declaration of intent with Eurocontrol, while the DGCA inked a letter of intent memorandum of understanding with the European Union Aviation Safety for closer cooperation.

Keynote Speakers At EU-India Aviation Summit

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, addressed the summit virtually, highlighting the historical relationship between India and the European Union and the robust physical, digital, and people-to-people connectivity that exists between the two regions. He invited EU players to partner with India to develop adaptive technologies to tackle emissions from the aviation industry.

Adina Vălean, European Union Commissioner for transport, also addressed the summit through virtual mode. She emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the EU and India, stating that their shared experiences and objectives make them natural partners.

She said, “From commercial opportunities, to aviation safety and security, sustainability, air traffic management, or consumer protection, our shared experiences, as well as our shared objectives, make us natural partners.”

She further said, “We already have a successful history of partnership and cooperation in many areas. I truly hope aviation will become one of our most successful partnerships.”

Andreas Carlson, Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Sweden, also addressed the summit, expressing optimism about the bright future of EU-India cooperation.

Andreas Carlson said, “We have a long standing history of bilateral relation between India and EU. I am sure we have a bright future together with even stronger cooperation and collaboration between EU and India.”

Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal, spoke about the rapid growth of the Indian aviation sector and the government's renewed focus on innovation and infrastructure.

The Secretary, ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal addressing the summit said, “There are several fronts on which India and EU cooperate and this summit marks beginning of that journey.” He said that Indian aviation sector is growing rapidly, and we are preparing for having better infrastructure, better connectivity, with renewed focus on innovation.

 EU-India Aviation Summit Focuses on Sustainability

The summit highlights the need to prioritize sustainability in the aviation industry. India has set a target of making 121 airports carbon neutral by 2025, and airports are encouraged to use 100% green energy by 2024 and achieve net zero by 2030. Indian airline operators have also conducted demonstration flights using biofuel blended with ATF.

The EU-India Aviation Summit emphasizes the importance of collaboration and cooperation between the two regions to overcome the challenges faced by the aviation industry, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. The signing of declarations and memorandums marks the beginning of a journey towards closer cooperation and the achievement of shared objectives.