Delhi Declaration on Civil Aviation | 16 Sep 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, the 2^nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, hosted in India in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration. The 80th anniversary of the founding of the ICAO coincided with the Conference.

• The event gathers global aviation leaders to discuss cooperation, explore new opportunities, and build relationships in the sector. It saw participation from delegates of 29 countries, ministers, policymakers, and 8 international organisations including ICAO.
• The Prime Minister praised India's advancements in aviation technology and infrastructure and highlighted the sector's inclusivity, noting that 15% of Indian pilots are women, surpassing the global average of 5%.
  • India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, after the US and China.
  • India’s Initiatives Related to Aviation Industry:
    • UDAN Scheme (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik)
    • National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016
    • GST reduced to 5% from 18% for domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services
    • Open Sky Agreement
    • Digi Yatra
• The ICAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. 
  • It was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
  • It was established by the Chicago Convention (Convention on International Civil Aviation) which is an international treaty that governs international aviation. 

Read More: India's Aviation Sector