DEVELOP 'ATMANIRBHARTA IN CIVIL AVIATION'

Despite the obvious challenges, a concerted push for Atmanirbharta in Commercial Aviation is required for enhanced technological independence and reduced vulnerability, if India truly wants to be a major player in the global aviation landscape

- ROHIT GOEL

THE AVIATION INDUSTRY HAS FACED SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES in recent years, with the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts disrupting global supply chains. These disruptions have led to bottlenecks and constraints, posing a significant obstacle to the industry's recovery, despite the anticipated rebound in travel demand. While the Indian aviation sector has made strides in overcoming recent hurdles, it also continues to grapple with supply chain issues that are hindering its recovery. These issues threaten the remarkable growth trajectory of India's aerospace sector, which is driven by a booming economy and ambitious expansion plans. According to CAPA India's forecast, the Indian aviation industry is expected to have approximately 790 aircraft in its fleet by March 2024, with 588 operational aircraft. This means that over 200 aircraft or nearly 25 per cent of the total fleet will be grounded by March 2024. A major concern for mass grounding of domestic airlines is due to supply chain issues. This could disrupt the industry significantly, with major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet already facing substantial grounding numbers. The current total of over 160 grounded aircraft across Indian airlines paints a worrying picture for the industry's future.